... >> ... what is essential for a successful and pleasant satellite operation, YOU NEED A PREAMP!
One thing that I have shown to about a hundred audiences LIVE as I work passes in front of them is there is absolutely NO NEED to spend money on pre-amp to successfully work the FM LEOs. AO-27 and SO-50 are received wonderfully with just improved antennas on handheld radios/scanners.
If you cannot hear '27 and '50 and the ISS - nor worked '51 and heard ARISSat-1 when they were available - with just a "better" antenna (suggestions on the ANTENNAS page at work-sat.com), then something is wrong with your setup.
Might a pre-amp be on one's list as a future purchase to work other birds? Quite possibly.
Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com
... what is essential for a successful and pleasant satellite operation, YOU NEED A PREAMP!