SO-50 is generally quiet during the day for a few reasons. Many people are at work, and it's also a weak bird that is not as easy to hear as AO-51. It also requires a PL to turn it on if it's off, and then another PL to use it.
Also many satellite enthusiasts use the TS-2000 which has a birdie on the downlink which can make it difficult, if not impossible to hear.
But it's a great bird with excellent audio.
73 de W4AS
On Aug 26, 2010, at 1:06 PM, Ng, Peter wrote:
I was also surprised at how quiet SO-50 was during my initial attempts. I thought there something wrong with my setup. I find the traffic on SO-50 is very light. Don't know why...could be the time of day (or night in my case). I had great help from KC2WQW and W6ZKH. Regardless of anyone else being on, when you can hear myself on the downlink, you know you're getting through. have fun!
73's Peter VE7NGP
That's true but you would think there would be others on the bird.
73 Matt W5LL
... Did you transmit the ON tone? SO-50 is set up so you have to turn it on by ... Rick Tejera