I can't answer questions about how the 847 works as I've never used one, but I'd think you'd want to use the VFO tracking and inverting capabilities to navigate the passband.
Using two 817s together on the linear transponders does take a bit of practice. It's relatively easy to find a clear space, find your signal, and call CQ. It's a bit more complicated to navigate the passband since the two 817s aren't tracking each other and it takes a bit of mental arithmetic to get on frequency once you change your receive frequency. This is where the VFO tracking capabilities of a satellite radio come in handy and I've thought about designing an Arduino interface that links 2 817s (or 857/897 - same CAT protocol) together via their CAT ports (when you tune one, the other tracks). Incidentally, Icom used to make a device to do just this with two Icom radios (the CT-16 Satellite Interface Unit).
Of course this is how it was done by everyone back in the 1970s and early 1980s. Before satellite transceivers came on to the market, everyone was using two separate radios!
I'd make a video, but I'm a bit short of hands when operating the two 817s (maybe I should get a GoPro)! I could do a video simulating a pass and showing you how I tune around. I might do that tonight and I'll post the link if I do.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 3:56 PM, Bill ACITO, W1PA w1pa@hotmail.com wrote:
I see a lot of current portable transponder ops running two rigs (most likely 817's). Folks seem to be unencumbered by the lack of tracking and Doppler coordination between the two radios. Dare I say it -- old school?
Despite the tracking and inverting capabilities, is there any reason I couldn't run my 847 in the same "mode", using the two separate VFO dials like two 817's and nothing else? Am I missing something?
Any one, from the various AMSAT portable ops, have a YouTube video showing _in detail_ how you are running two 817's?
Anyone else run your 847 this way?
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