Barry-

One other tip. I use this page a lot: https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/  I like it because it has short comments on the status of the satellites which is mostly correct. Notice for AO-109 it says, "Transponder is very weak" which is the real issue with it.

The page also links to "frequency charts" and those have a little more information on each satellite. AO-109 says, "Transponder partially operational at low signal levels (approx 8 mW total RF output)."

-David, N9KT




On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 11:10 AM David Spoelstra <davids@mediamachine.com> wrote:
Barry-

I wish there was a better up-to-date way to find this info too. But to answer your question, I believe the satellite is not used much because, "issues with the satellite make SSB voice contacts challenging at best". See https://www.amsat.org/ao-109-radfxsat-2-amsat-fox-1e-open-for-amateur-use/

-David, N9KT


On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 11:02 AM Barry Pfeil via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@amsat.org> wrote:
I've been away from operating satellites for a bit, concentrating instead on EME.  But with Field day approaching I want to reconfigure my station (and to some extent, my mind) for satellites so i can again earn that 100-point bonus for my local club on FD this year.

Looking at the AMSAT "Satellite Status" page to see what's working these days, I notice AO-109 shown with only a few "not heard" reports in recent days.  When I click on the AO-109 link at the left side of the table it takes me to an AMSAT page from 2016 telling me about the expected 2017 launch of this bird.

When I go to "SATNOGS" I find a green checkmark with the advice that the "Satellite is in orbit and operational".  When I go to "Gunter's Space Page" I find similarly dated info. On NY2O.com I find that the satellite is "Active".  Nowhere do I find a clue as to WHY the actual status is apparently "not heard".

I'm new at this.  Is there a place with real-time info other than the AMSAT "Satellite Status" page?

Thanks and 73
Barry K6RM

-----------------------------------------------------------

Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. 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.
Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/

View archives of this mailing list at
https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/amsat-bb@amsat.org
To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org
Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org