Hi Roger!
I'm one of those who has a key (paddles) to send dits. I've made a few CW QSOs via satellite, but most of the time the paddles are my tool to line myself up on transponders so I can work them in SSB. I've been doing this for several years, normally with two FT-817NDs and no computer. Lining up a CW signal through the transponder has been a lot easier for me than talking while trying to find myself. It also helps to compensate for Doppler when starting out. For example, if I'm trying to get started at 145.910 MHz on VO-52's downlink early in a pass, I do not start transmitting right on 435.240 MHz. I move my transmit frequency down a few kHz, so I am not having to transmit across 7 to 10 kHz to line myself up. I used to keep a note card with the TX and RX frequencies I should use for each of the SSB satellites, so I could set my radios up with a minimum of transmissions to get lined up. Less time used to get lined up should mean more time to make QSOs.
As was mentioned by KB2M and W5PFG, I don't normally start a pass at the center of the transponder. There is usually more than enough activity in the few kHz above and below that spot, where I might not hear my 5-watt signals coming through the transponder there. I also know that, without using a computer, I should go off and find a quiet spot away from the center to get lined up. I don't interfere with others that way, and they aren't getting in my way when I'm trying to get lined up. I look to go 10 to 15 kHz above the center frequency to get started, then work from there. I may move down toward the center later in the pass, if I am not working anyone where I started out higher in the transponder. If you try to find me this Saturday morning on those satellites while I am doing demonstrations from a Phoenix hamfest, look for me around that area early in the pass instead of at the center of the transponder.
W5PFG is also right about those who use too much power through the transponders. Normally I have no problems working the transponders with 5W signals, and sometimes will cut back to as little as 500mW around the middle of a pass. There have been times where I am not able to hear myself, even when the satellite is up 30 to 40 degrees from the horizon - where I should be able to hear myself clearly through the satellite. I can usually find a very strong signal on the downlink when that happens, one that probably could use less power and still be clearly heard.
73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/
On Tue, Jan 7, 2014 at 10:53 PM, Roger Kolakowski [email protected] wrote:
Honestly...I wonder how many of the operators have keys to send those dits...
Roger WA1KAT
On 1/7/2014 7:59 PM, Ronald G. Parsons wrote:
Perhaps it’s just me, but it seems like an increasing number of operators are trying to find their downlink by speaking into their mic while tuning up and down the band, often plus or minus 20-30 kHz. Not only is this disruptive to existing QSOs, it is not the most effective way to do it. My receiver has a panadapter with a 40 KHz bandwidth, and I can see these SSB signals swishing up and down, over and over.
If you don’t have computer control of your frequency, set up a switch by which you can send a SHORT series of dits. Then don’t swish. Adjust your transmitter is steps of about 3 kHz. Send a burst of dits at low power and listen. If you don’t hear yourself, tune up or down. This way you will have an effective way to find yourself and you won’t interrupt other QSOs repeatedly.
Once you find yourself, make sure you are not interfering with an existing QSO. Then refine your tuning until your frequency is nearly right. If you are operating CW, your done. If you are operating SSB, try holding a tone generator near your mic and adjust your transmitter or receiver until the tone on the downlink matches the tone generator.
There is probably a free tone generator available for your smart phone.
Better yet, try computer control of your transmitter and receiver. You can easily find an Elmer on the air if you need help.
But, PLEASE. don’t swish!
Ron W5RKN _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. 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
Sent via [email protected]. 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