4 Jan
2008
4 Jan
'08
11:55 p.m.
I'm new to satellite stuff. Do I need an az-el rotator
Not at all for any of the present satellites. Just a $75 TV rotator from radio shack. Tilt your Arrow up a fixed 15 degrees and you can work the satellites from horizon to horizon.
LEO satellites are below 30 degrees 75% of the time. When they are above 30, they are 6 to 10 dB closer and so pointing is not an issue. They are below 45 degrees 94% of the time. Above 60 degrees only 2% of the time and it just isnt worth chasing that 2%.
See the plot on: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/rotator1.html
Bob, Wb4APR