I hear that comment about the linear satellites, "costing a lot". For years I ran a couple of single band all mode transceivers. Probably 20 years old and you have to adjust for doppler correction with that big knob. However they work quite well and can be had for the cost of a "bell and whistle" hand held. Hamfests, ebay they're all over the place.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick Tejera" [email protected] To: "Ben Napper" [email protected], [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 9:19:09 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: My First Satellite Contacts
Ben,
Congratulations and welcome to the kool-aid. You never forget your first satellite contact, mine was W6AJP 21 July @ 0100UT on AO-51.
Your comments are spot on. What's the saying? We have two ears so we should listen twice as much as we talk.
Like you, I'd love to get on the linear birds, but it's just not financially feasible right now. Someday....
I use both HRD and N3FPJ's Contact log. I also keep a paper log as well and Just recently set up for LotW. HRD is free and N3FPJ does ask for a $19 registration fee, But I tend to lean that way, $19 is not a big expense in my book and I like the way it work better. Hat being said I upload to LotW from HRD, because I've figured that part out first :). Try 'em both (N3FPJ has a 45 day free demo period) and go with what works best for you.
Go here for information about LotW and Satellite logging:
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/LoTW%2520Instructions/N5JB.pdf
Again Welcome to the birds. Hope to work you soon.
73
Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
K7TEJ, AMSAT 38452
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Ben Napper Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 14:32 To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] My First Satellite Contacts
Wow!
I've been grinning ear-to-ear for a little while now that I have my first
satellite contacts completed. I find it astonishing that a hobby as mundane
sounding as Amateur Radio can have any aspect of it that is
as exhilarating as this experience has been. From the day I got my Tech
ticket, I've wanted to work the birds, but, being a younger ham, life takes
its turns. Thank you to my #1 - K8YSE, #2 - AC0RA, #3 - W7JPI, #4 - WA4NV,
and #5 - K8TL.
That said, I've learned a few things while lurking on here and the
satellites.
- Be patient. There's a lot of hams and only a few FM birds. (I'd love to
get into the linear birds too, but I'd need congressional approval from the
wife for the budgetary consideration required to make that a reality.)
- Don't try to transmit on the bird's downlink frequency. No matter how
hard you try, you will be doing a lot of talking to yourself.
- Clean up the dog poo in the backyard.
Now, some questions: I want to use Ham Radio Deluxe as my log (unless I hear
of something that is much better) and I'm setup for LotW. How often should
I upload to LotW? Are there any gotchas with logging satellite contacts?
Best practices?
Also, I want to (eventually) do paper QSL cards. If you do them, how do you
usually handle them? Who do you recommend to use to get them made?
Thanks,
Ben Napper - KC0PCQ
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_______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. 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