Hi All, I Myself only operated a FM bird a few times, found it to be like operating one of the wide coverage repeaters that we have, and for the most part, that is all that they are.
I remember when I first got on the birds also AO-7, we had nothing to use for the 2 meter up-link, of course we had the 10 meter rcv covered. but to transmit, all we had was the day's rock bound FM rigs.
But we found a ools vfo controlled AM 2 meter rig, I don't remember what it was other than it's face was fire engine red> anyone have a idea as to what that was?
Well we placed it into the up-link passband, and found in the mic jack (had no mic for it) what pins made it transmit, and hooked our straight key to it.
when tyhe bird came over we guestimated where we should be in the down link and hit the key, not bad about 5 kc high,, put out a short cq, and worked someone right away first try, what a blast and a contact we all will never forget!
Joe WB9SBD
Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF wrote:
Dave Guimomt (WB6LLO) wrote:--------------------John, the operation of FM voice satellites is a travesty for ham radio... I've been licensed for 57 years, on amateur satellites for 33 years (Oscar 7) and the FM voice operation is the most ridiculous aberration I've witnessed in all of amateur radio...Pandemonium exists here also!!