On top of the normal hard-of-hearing issue, AO-85 was also in safe mode for a while. It was commanded back into operation (according to my telemetry) sometime between 2-Aug 2200 UTC and 3-August 1400. That could explain one of your failed attempts.
The safe-mode issue is a software bug (blush) such that if it resets at the wrong moment relative to being in auto-safe mode due to a long eclipse, it stays in safe mode until commanded out. During that time, no transponder. (No, I have not found the bug yet, and it can't be fixed from the ground even when I do. It might exist in the other Fox-class satellites too. However, they have been resetting much less frequently and not going into auto-safe at all [as far as I know], so the bug might not might not show up on them).
73, Burns WB1FJ Fox-1 Flight Software
On Sat, Aug 4, 2018 at 8:41 AM, John Brier [email protected] wrote:
Yes it is.
I wrote up a short explanation on my website about it and a trick you can use to get in if you use an Arrow antenna.
https://spacecomms.wordpress.com/ao-85-twist-trick-and-other-hints/
A lot of people (myself included) use a mobile radio set to 10, or up to 50 watts to get in easily from horizon to horizon. 250 watts ERP is advised for horizon to horizon coverage.
One thing that isn't on my webpage is that it can be easier to get in on north to south decending passes from AOS to TCA (max elevation), after that it gets harder with only five watts. I found recently I didn't even have to use the above mentioned trick with my Kenwood TH-D72 from AOS-TCA on descending passes.
73, John Brier KG4AKV
On Sat, Aug 4, 2018, 00:12 Bob Keating [email protected] wrote:
I have attempted to make the last two passes of AO-85 over the West Coast, 8/3/2018 at 01:12 zulu on 8/03/18 and on 08/03/18 at 15:22 zulu. I could hear a number of stations but it seemed that the bird was having a hard time hearing me. I am running 2 HTs at 5 W transmit full duplex into an Arrow II hand held satellite antenna. I had no problem hitting AO-92 at 18:19 today. Thanks for your help. 73, Bob, N6REK _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
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Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb