I forgot to include the link http://users.innercite.com/kj6ko/ 73 W7LRD
-- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it"
-------------- Original message -------------- From: "Alan P. Biddle" [email protected]
Mike,
The TS-2000 is a very capable satellite rig, and the 1.2 gig module will get you on mode L. According to the sales sites, you need to have the module installed by a dealer or from the factory. So in one sense, the installation is easy. Let somebody else do it. ;) At about $500-600 plus installation, it is probably comparable in cost to a good external transverter and avoids all the quirks of interfacing and deciding which IF to use. Note that 10 watts out is really marginal, and you need an amplifier in the 50-100 watt range along with a good antenna to make satellite operating more than a chore.
The FT-847 works well with a transverter. I regularly operate AO-51 in the various modes using mode L as an uplink, and with a little recabling worked the ISS in mode LV about as well as could be done. There is a brief note in the July/August AMSAT Journal about using TX transverters with 2 meter IFs when you need to be able to RX on 2 meters.
One thing to consider whether you are talking about amplifiers or transverters, is that terrestrial communication centers around 1296 MHz, while space communication centers around 1269 MHz. Almost all equipment is designed for the higher and much more common frequency. The amps often need retuning for the lower frequency, and are less efficient. Likewise, transverters will require significantly different crystals to get the IF where you can use it.
Going with the TS-2000 and adding a brick amp is the easiest and cleanest way, but if you are a good scrounger, not necessarily the cheapest.
Alan WA4SCA
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