Jackie,
You mention 2 HTs but not models so I will assume that they are FM only HTs. Some HTs can receive other modes, most do not. I suggest using the status page someone sent along, and the FM repeater list: https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/.
AO-91, AO-92 and SO-50 will almost always have a station or two on while they are over the US,unless it is in the very early AM hours.
There is a decently large AMSAT community on Twitter, but you can also be sure to find active passes by following the rovers: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/
Two operating tips since you are already doing the #1 tip of listening. Be prepared to transmit in case the pass is slow. Also a filter is HIGHLY recommended, I used a MFJ-916B on the 2m rig for a long time. A Mini-circuits BLP-200+ is also great, lighter but a bit more expensive. A filter was the biggest station improvement I have ever made to my dual radio satellite step.
On Mon, Feb 17, 2020, 13:09 Jackie Dander via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
Progress on 3rd week of beginning satellite hobby: (still reading and learning..)
Two HT's with homemade YAGI (2M and 70cm)
Learning to receive only first.
Received multiple passes of AO-91 and 92. Recorded voices and deciphered later, matching call signs and grid coordinates to make sure I heard correctly. Also, listened to NO-84 signal. So I confirm reception on both U and V.
I checked active status online for the following satellites but on trying to receive them, got nothing: KKS-1, TIGRISAT, FALCONSAT3, DELPHI C3, EO-88, DUCHIFAT1, and ISS (both 433.550 and 145.800).
Questions: Is there a place where hams could log their connections? If I knew that, for example, Falconsat3 was truly transmitting, then that would help.
Are there other "active" bird lists? (I used N2Y0)
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