I just recently bought an ft-847 that I'd like to use for sat work. My interests are primarily voice modes NOT PACKET! I may be interested in using CW at some point but as for now my CW needs serious help. I'm located in DM14db and have limited space for antennas at this location or enough space for a full AZ-EL setup if I can remote the station to a location about 30 miles north.
What else do I need in terms of antennas, (rotators), preamp, etc. and what birds will it allow me to work for both possible situations?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of computer control for doppler shift and tracking? is computer control of these parameters good enough that 2 stations could ragchew on ssb without manual intervention?
In each of the 2 different situations above which sats will I likely be able to work and what kind of operating will I likely find there (ragchew vs callsign/RST.)
Thanks for the replies and look forward to working some of you on the birds,
Eric KG6KQT