Tom,
That is the old standard for satellite operation when we had MEO and HEO sats to work.
Since I have my old antennas that is what I am putting up: 145: 7-element M2 yagi, mgf-1302 preamp, TR relay at tower, 50w FT-847 (about 20w max at antenna). The KLM-22C will replace this antenna once I have re-assembled. 435: M2-436CP42, 50w PA at tower, mgf-1302 preamp, with TR relay to support either mode-B or J 1268: 45-element loop-yagi, 15w Tx converter (DEMI 1268/144) (drives with 2w on 144) 2400: 33-inch dish, helix feed, MK232 LNA, two Drake converters (123 & 435 IF's)
Since these are all narrow beamwidth antennas auto-tracking is desirable. I am using the B5400 az-el rotator with Unitrac-2000, SATPC32
I have all the antennasand the 1268 unit mounted . Dish is next then we swing it all up into place and install the outdoor box with 12v PS and electronics: http://www.kl7uw.com/sat.htm
73, Ed - KL7UW
At 10:38 AM 11/30/2009, Tom wrote:
Thanks for all of the great information. Since both the TS2000 and IC910H have been around a while I believe that most of their 'problems' have been at least discovered. So, in that respect, I'm leaning away from the "still to be debugged" IC-9100. Also new rigs always are priced high in the beginning of their life, as we all know. I know that some of the ham dealers are offering "Closeout" prices on the 910H but I didn't see much difference from previous pricing.
Not to prolong this thread but Jerry's append (below) brings up another question. How much antenna is "too much" for satellite operation. Someone earlier mentioned that an 11 element yagi might have a beam width too narrow to closely follow an LEO bird. I had planned on using yagis with 13 elements on 2M and 18 els on 70cm. Is that a bad plan?
Thanks again. Tom, KØTW
Hi; I have owned the Ft-736 R and the Ft-847, which I am using now. No matter which rig you decide to buy the most important thing is the antenna system. I use KLM,s with switchers and pre amps. I switch my pre amps off and on from the shack. My 847 has a pre amp built in too. Nothing is better than MAST MOUNTED PRE AMPS THOUGH. If my 847 goes bad I will replace it with another used 847. I also work a lot of HF too. I run barefoot on HF all the time. I also get through all the pile ups because I have a good antenna with gain. Through the years I have made over 15,000 satellite contacts alone. 73,s Jerry w0sat
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73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 500-KHz/CW, 144-MHz EME, 1296-MHz EME DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [email protected] ======================================