When I bought my TS2000 several years ago I too played "chase the downlink" for about a week and did a fair job. But if it was annoying to me to have to do that, I knew how annoying it must have been to other, Doppler controlled stations chasing me. I am not a computer whiz by any means, but my frustration, and desire to avoid the 2 meter repeater characteristics of the FM birds and favor quality QSOs on the linear birds drove me to download and set up SATPC32. After a bit of study on how the CAT control works, I had it dialed in. This took place over about a 3 day period. Since my first full Doppler controlled QSO, I have never ever gone back to manual tuning- although some small adjustments are often required on real high passes. As someone said earlier, it makes lengthy roundtable QSOs possible and is a kick watching everyone's freqs move with yours as you watch the satellite light up each station's QTH.
Another satisfied customer (and regular on VO52, AO7 and FO29- thanks and with regards to Erich DK1TB)
Craig N6RSX
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Michael Schulz Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 3:34 PM To: Tom Schaefer, NY4I Cc: Amsat BB Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Should I abandon full doppler correction?
Tom,
I tried full doppler control with HRD's sat tracking software and wasn't really thrilled to say the least. I may again try Macdoppler as it's so far the best sat program I've seen but my main shack machine unfortunately is a Windows box because HRD's logging software is more convenient than MacloggerDX with regards to eQSL and LOTW.
The other reason I do it all manual (both doppler and rotor control) is that I like to be in control :). If I would leave it all to the computer and all I'd have to do would be press the PTT then where's the fun in that? IMHO it's great building all the computer control as a PoT but then when it works it becomes boring :). I heard you loud and clear on FO-29 today.
73 Mike K5TRI
On Jul 24, 2011, at 4:17 PM, Tom Schaefer, NY4I wrote:
Hi all,
I just tried a nice pass on FO-29. I heard K9CIS on CW and W5BK from Texas. In both cases, while I am using full doppler correction with my 9100 and MacDoppler, I suspect they are leaving the transmit frequency fixed as they both changed frequency. K9CIS on CW was quite extreme in the Doppler shift. I know that this is a by-product of me using full doppler to listen to stations that are not, but it seems that the majority of the stations I hear are NOT using flu doppler. I have asked this question before, but it seems to be happening more frequently.
Should I abandon full doppler correction? Another less black-and-white step is that if I hear a station moving to adjust my settings so I am not doing full doppler.
Has anyone ever taken a survey to see how many satellite users actually use full doppler. Am I assuming more guys use computers and anyone of the multiple ways to do computer control that have ben available for years? Does anyone ever talk about this in AMSAT circles? Sort of like the encouragement one gives to people afraid of LOTW to try it? "Computers in the shack...NEVER!" I exaggerate but it seems that way. Then again, being a computer person and having computer capable rigs I realize I am skewed in my expectations. I know there are guys working with old 271/471 pairs or even the old FT726 out there. Great radios and a simple way to do it, but even they have ways to do full doppler control and they have been out for 20 years.
Thanks,
Tom Tom Schaefer, NY4I ny4i@arrl.net EL88pb Monitoring EchoLink node KJ4FEC-L 489389 DSTAR Capable APRS: NY4I-15
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
NOTICE: This communication may contain privileged or other confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, please advise the sender by reply email and immediately delete the message and any attachments without copying or disclosing the contents. Thank you.