Joel,
I have a Flex VU5K, and it is coming along nicely as a satellite rig. It is fun, and even useful, to be able to look at the ARISSat-1 downlink. You can copy telemetry while watching the transponder passband to see if anyone is on. On Fo-29 and similar linear birds, you don't need to tune around looking for other stations. They are just there. Click, and QSO!
The Flex can respond to the Kenwood TS-2000 CAT commands, mostly, so it works with SATPC32 and HRD. There are a few loose ends not implemented, so you need to set a couple of things manually which would be set automatically with a real TS-2000. However, there is nothing which prevents you from using the Doppler control, etc. No doubt the rough edges will be fixed over time.
73s,
Alan WA4SCA
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Joel Black Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2011 6:06 AM To: Amsat BB Subject: [amsat-bb] SDR For Satellite Use
I have successfully built and operated my G59 transceiver with GPA10 10W amp (http://www.genesisradio.com.au/) for 40m JT65a contacts to VK2, 75m voice contacts in the States, and everything in between.
At some point in the past, some group (TAPR?) had a 2m SDR transceiver. I have no idea where that information might be.
Does anyone here use SDR for their satellite operation? Maybe using Flex radios or something else? I don't know that it would matter on the FM birds, but it would be nice to be able to see the spectrum on the linear birds.
Thanks, Joel - W4JBB _______________________________________________ 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