While AO-40 was still alive and I was working it from deep within "Silicon Valley", an area blanketed by WiFi, 2.4GHz cordless phones, etc., I discovered that a parabolic dish with a properly positioned and designed patch feed (slightly under-illuminating the dish and having no significant side-lobes) would bring in AO-40's S-band downlink very nicely and cleanly.
Of course, other feed or antenna types such as helical antennas/feeds were useless in that environment.
I have to admit that I don't buy the "too noisy" argument.
73,
Rick KG6IAL
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Félim Doyle M3HIM Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 12:21 AM To: Joseph Trombino Jr; AMSAT Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: S band downlink on P3E
I was sorry to hear that too (the same week I bought a Cal. Amp. 2.4GHz downconverter). It might be a noisy band but how much can it cost to put the kit on the bird anyway? Even if it is not in regular scheduled use, at least it will be there when (or rather if) another downlink fails.
73 de
Félim M3HIM IO91ot Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Trombino Jr" w2kj@bellsouth.net To: "AMSAT" amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 10:49 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] S band downlink on P3E
Disappointed to find out that there will not be an S band downlink on
Eagle
Will there be an S band downlink on the P3E bird???
Sure hate having to fork over more money each time a new satellite goes up because previous up/downlinks are not being used anymore....makes me wish for more mode A LEO birds (grin)
73, Joe W2KJ
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