Use what you have to begin with!
I made one QSO via Mode A with AC0RA back in September using a just a one meter diameter AlexLoop Walkham Portable Magnetic Loop on the downlink. One thing to remember is that the receiver on Mode A is not as sensitive as Mode B, so you need higher EIRP than on Mode B, probably around 100 watts or so, for a decent downlink signal.
Audio of the middle of the pass is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJwmIKr1BZI
Keep in mind that I'm a mile southwest of the Capitol in Washington, DC. There are lots of buildings and lots of noise sources nearby. In the middle of a lesser populated area, I bet I'd receive a pretty good signal with this antenna. The QSO occurs about the 4 minute mark of the video, with the satellite at about 60 degrees of elevation. I don't think I was pointing my Arrow high enough while fiddling with everything, but even then, with about 20-25 watts EIRP on 2 meters, the downlink signal is going to be a bit weak.
73,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM Washington, DC
On 11/5/2013 7:10 PM, Kevin Deane wrote:
Does anyone have any success in mode A? If so what type of 10m antenna?
Kevin KF7MYK
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