On Jun 22 2012, Keith Baker wrote:
Is it me, my keps or my equipment....or did I hear VO-52 in Mode J this (Friday AM) in a pass over the USA?
73, Keith BakerKB1SF / VA3KSF
I dont't know, but I usually have zero trouble working VO-52 during Field Day, but this year I never heard even a peep from it on about a dozen passes that I tried. It felt almost as if the satellite was not there or the transponder was off. Probably an equipment problem on my end, but I was able to hear (but not work) AO-27 and FO-29 a few times, so I know I at least had my Android phone set up properly for making pass predictions, and they also matched the pass predictions on AMSAT.ORG online. So, unlike prior years, when I've done stupid things like not correct for Daylight Saving Time or updated the station coordinates, I know I at least had those major goofs prevented. But I was shocked and disappointed that I could not even hear the slightest bit of activity or signal return this past weekend. Like I said, this has always been an excellent, reliable linear transponder, so I was particularly surprised...
W0JT (for the W0BU Field Day effort)