Hi Joe
May not be of much help, but here is a video summarizing HO-68 modes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6oDgUTHCwg
Using an 8 elements antenna + pre-amp I can hear the beacon from 0.1 degrees elevation already At 5 degrees it's rock-solid. Without pre-amp you hear it from 10 degrees or so, depending on your radio. We have heared the FM repeater on a portable radio with a simple vertical.
Be aware of the doppler shift at 70cm, which is a few kHz (tune around !).
Let us know how it works out for you, I find it really a nice & easy satellite to use.
Dont panic if you do not hear the beacon/transponder. As mentioned already, there are some problems and both maybe be off (I had yesterday a pass where the beacon was on but also one pass where it was off)
Success ! Henk, PA3GUO
I have a pass in about one hour now from near Seattle. Since, I've never used HO-68, is the beacon: Downlink 435.7900 MHz CW ?? Btw, how does the typical beacon signal compare to the typical transponder signal folks have? Is it louder or same? Thanks, Joe, AD7D.
-- Henk, PA3GUO