All,
It is tragic that there are no new full-duplex HTs out there.
I have been using an Alinco DJ-580T for my portable satellite ops. It is a very good full-duplex HT, but seems to be a little less sensitive on 70cm than the ICOM W32A. Allen N5AFV has made over 10,000 satellite contacts with the W32A and the AL-800 long whip antenna. I recently purchased another very nice DJ-580T on eBay and have modified some of my battery packs for LiPo cells. I did some repair work on a DJ-582T a few months ago, and find that to be another good full-duplex antique for satellite work. The 11.1V, 1600 mAh LiPo pack that I recently put together is very light. See p. 11 of the January/February 2007 AMSAT Journal for info on hamsat fun while cruising. My first portable satellite ops with the DJ-580T were via OSCAR-21 in 1992.
Listen for W5ACM/MM between February 8 and February 14 via AO-51. I hope to put some new grids on the air while we are out on the water between Galveston, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Roi Tan. I will have both DJ-580Ts, a number of LiPo battery packs, etc. along for the ride.
I never got comfortable with my Kenwood TH-D7 via satellite, but it is a rather amazing HT for all kinds of things. If I wasn't so familiar with the simple controls on the DJ-580T, I would be using the TH-D7.
73 de Andy W5ACM http://www.w5acm.net
----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward Cole" kl7uw@acsalaska.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 7:01 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Optimum HT for FM satellite use?
Gordon,
I had the fortune to own a Kenwood TH7-D for awhile and would have kept it if the original owner had not twisted my arm into selling it back to him (It was for a charitable cause that he was donating the radio). It was full cross-band duplex with built in TNC and APRS.
Although not an HT, the FT-817 is pretty portable with its carry strap and works well for working Leos sats. The FT-817 is not duplex, however, so I would say it is better suited to someone with some experience working satellites. Being able to hear your own signal with a cross-band duplex radio helps ensure that you are operating properly.
And, beginners should remember the first rule in good satellite operation: "Be able to hear the downlink well, before transmitting!" A lot of beginners key up their transmitter and cause interference while they still figuring out how to receive well.
PS: My favorite satellite radio remains my FT-847 (in the shack)...now ten years old! 73, Ed - KL7UW
----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon Bousman" nw7d.ham@gmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 10:50 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Optimum HT for FM satellite use?
I'm getting started in satellite work and interested in purchasing a suitable HT for portable satellite use using an Arrow antenna. Wondering what is considered to be an optimum HT especially considering ease of managing the Doppler shift during a pass. I understand that the HT must be full duplex capable and thus rules out some models.
Thanks, Gordon, NW7D
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