At 08:46 PM 7/17/2008, Auke de Jong wrote:
I can only offer my own reason for being absent from VO-52 and AO-7: I find keeping-up with the doppler-tuning of these LEO-orbits to be frustrating. It doesn't help that my rig is awkward in this mode, and my PC-control option has a problem I've yet to solve. Add, to this, my manual rotator-controller, and it adds-up to several uncompleted contacts. VO-52 is, of course, harder than ao-7 because of it's height/speed.
Considering just this reason by itself, HEO is much more inviting, because the doppler-effect is so greatly reduced. I think this reason might be shared by several other HAM's on the BB, even if they don't mention it. I even feel a little embarassed to admit that I haven't been able to cope with the different rates of doppler-shift for uplink and downlink. I might have to put my old transciever (FT-726R) back on the air, just because it was a lot easier to control both VFO's mid-QSO to keep centered. I don't even think I've completed one, since I've gotten my relatively modern "satellite rig" FT-847, despite several attempts to do-so.
Dear Auke,
It is very easy to get automatic doppler tuning working and I highly recommend it. Load up InstantTrack on any PC, even a DOS '386! and download InstantTune for free from the AMSAT web site here:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/software/PC/radio-control/itune110.zip
Follow the instructions in the readme.txt file. It is very straightforward.
---
There is no reason to work linear satellites without automatic doppler tuning. You need the PC anyway to track the satellite - just hookup the COM cable it makes satellite QSOs simple.
VO-52 is very easy to work and is actually much easier than AO-07 since the downlink is so strong. You do not need to track the antennas - you can easily work it with omni-directional antennas. I have worked it with just an FT-817 running 5 watts into nothing more than a full wave loop a few feet above ground and another full wave loop for receiving. With an FT-847, it is a breeze.
I do not know why you are having trouble with your FT-847 auto-tuning but if you need help, send me an email.
73 (and don't give up on VO-52!) Tony AA2TX
I think that the FM birds are more populated due to their twofold advantage... very few tuning-steps to stay locked on RX and in some cases, no uplink tuning at all; and FM gear is smaller and cheaper than anything available to work linear, especially portable/mobile.
This would make an excellent poll, if we were on a messageboard-forum such as the one on www.narc.net, or maybe as a mail-back card sent to all members.
I've been skipping/deleting all the other chatter regarding complaints for lack of a functioning HEO, etc etc. I feel so much better for not having been infected by the negativity of others. I hope the storm dies-sown soon so that we can get back to what we do best... whatever it is! 73's Auke
----- Original Message ----- From: "John Price" n4qwf1@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:16 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] where all the users
I have been reading about the need for HEO satellites and the reasons we don't have them. I wonder why the folks that wont the HEO's so bad never show up on AO-07 or VO-52. Most passes it is joe K3SZH and maybe two others at most on AO-07 and I hardly ever hear anyone on VO-52. The birds that have all the users are the FM sats. I would love to see a HEO built but if we are not going to use what we have what is the point.
73's << John
-- N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator AO-7,AO-27,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS Internet N4QWF@AMSAT.ORG Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463 Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ Amsat Member #27845 DXCC #33,478 VUCC SAT #135 WAS SAT #296 51 on AO-51 #13 LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il
From the Foothills of the Blueridge
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