Another factor is that the passes this time aren't favorable in the Western portion of this country; I have a mode S downlink capability from AO-40's days, but the bird isn't in view except while I'm off at work or asleep. Maybe tomorrow evening, it seems like I might get home in time.
Greg KO6TH
From: APBIDDLE@UNITED.NET To: Kelby.Davis@sdl.usu.edu; amsat-bb@amsat.org Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:35:27 -0600 Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 s-band
Kelby,
Hearing nothing on the mode-S downlink is actually pretty typical. There are only a handful of stations who operate there. I am not complaining, since I am one of those stations, but it would be nice to have some company. Excellent mode. You should be getting a very strong carrier, even if nobody is on. With a modest gain antenna you will get an exceptionally strong signal.
This is not a packet configuration, though there is always a chance that somebody will decide to try a digital or other mode on an otherwise unused pass. Additionally 9k6 and up does not really have "packet bursts" unlike 1200 baud. It sounds more like while noise, and you sometimes get things which can sound like that on the downlink briefly.
Alan WA4SCA
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