Hi all.
I'm hoping for some suggestions to help me "get in" to AO-7 mode B.
So far, my experience is as follows (on any pass, regardless of elevation): No matter what my output setting is on my IC-706MKIIG, I can only just barely get into the transponder. Even on a good day, when I am seeing multiple strong CW and SSB QSO's happening on the waterfall, my uplink can only just barely be seen, let alone heard. The 706MKIIG ouputs 20W on UHF, and checking with a wattmeter - it seems to be spot on (using FM - could SSB be performing differently?). I've hooked up my M2 UHF cross yagi to an SWR meter, and it comes in at less than 1.5. I can get into all the other linears with relative ease.
My UHF crossed dipole is supposed to be RHCP (if I connected everything correctly), and I believe that the 70cm Rx antenna on AO-7 is also CP, correct? But is it RH or LH? And does anybody know of a RHCP UHF downlink on a satellite that I can use to to positively confirm my UHF cross yagi polarization?
Any other suggestions welcome.
FYI - I am using an RTL-SDR.com V3 dongle on receive, with GQRX controlled by Gpredict - this setup actually works pretty well for me on all the other linears, believe it or not! I am positive that this is NOT an Rx issue on my end because I can see other strong QSOs in the waterfall - just not my own. So I believe this is an issue with my Tx.
--Roy K3RLD