Hi Kevin,
No, you're not wasting your time with AO-85. I also use a Yaesu VX 6R for all my Sat contacts, and have made several with AO-85. That said, AO-85 is much more difficult to work for me than SO-50. All my successful contacts have been made with an elevation above 45 degrees, so range may be a factor. I've also read (but haven't tried yet) about the trick of rotating the antenna 90 degrees on transmit, once you've established the best receive orientation.
73 de Bill, KG5FQX
On Mon, May 30, 2016 at 12:26 PM, Kevin Ehm kevinehm@gci.net wrote:
I’m having great difficulty hitting and receiving AO-85 with my Yaesu VX 6r. I have read about the frequencies, and that I’m not alone in the boat with HT’s and only 5 watts. I’m in BP51, and used to hit the easy ones when they were working. Am I simply wasting my time with AO-85?
Thanks, Kevin KL2RQ _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb