Hi Greg,
I've not tried L/U this week, but in the past I have been able to get in with 10 watts from my ICOM 1271A to a homebrew 18 turn helix, with about 60' of hardline and between 5 and 10' of RG-214 or similar at each end, between the rig and the antenna. I have no idea what power actually reaches the antenna, but, between the cable and all the connectors, I expect it's only a couple of watts at the most. Trees definitely are a factor (can't shoot through them very well), and I am on an Az/El rotor system so I can aim at the satellite pretty well.
As Drew notes, Doppler shift is really a factor on the upper bands. You'll be spinning the dial constantly. I use my satellite tracking program (predict on my Linux system) to tell me what frequency I should be on. I haven't connected the rig to the computer yet, otherwise it would be automatically controlled.
Good luck,
Greg KO6TH
Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:37:35 +0000 From: almetco@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 mode L/U
I heard a few passes of AO-51 in L/U mode. Most stations came in strong. I tried to get into the bird using about 8 watts out into a 23cm horizontal yagi on an elevation rotor. It was to no avail, though the bird was at 50 degree's and higher. I am working on a CP antenna for mode L.
Can those that worked this mode give me an idea of wattage, EIRP or antenna for Mode L that you are using. I was sure 7-10 watts would do from the Icom 910. However, it may have been the yagi and the lack of CP.
Thanks
Greg
N3MVF _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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
_________________________________________________________________ Color coding for safety: Windows Live Hotmail alerts you to suspicious email. http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_safety_...