For me working AO-85 while QRP is all about the challenge. Of course, it is way easier for me to work that satellite with 50 watts from a mobile rig, but my most memorable QSOs on AO-85 (and SO-50) were achieved using only a handheld antenna and a 4 watts handheld.
From southern Arizona, I have worked as far as Alaska, Yukon Territory, Curacao on SO-50 (that last one not easy from the Southwest) and Guadaloupe Island on AO-85. My AO-85, 5,282km QSO with FG8OJ was completed on a 2 degrees pass using an UV-B5/FT-817nd and Arrow antenna.
It takes planning, practice, but above all, patience and perseverance!
73 Fernando, NP4JV
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
From: Dave Webb KB1PVH Sent: Monday, May 30, 2016 11:38 AM To: AMSAT -BB Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] AO-85 & HT
John,
I'm guessing not everyone has a radio like an FT-847 but they have an HT or 2. It's also easier to carry an HT outside vs. an 847.
Dave-KB1PVH
Sent from my Samsung S4 On May 30, 2016 2:32 PM, "John Becker" w0jab@big-river.net wrote:
Is there a reason for using a HT and not a desk top rig such as FT847?
John
On 5/30/2016 12:26 PM, Kevin Ehm wrote:
I’m having great difficulty hitting and receiving AO-85 with my Yaesu VX 6r. I have read about the frequencies, and that I’m not alone in the boat with HT’s and only 5 watts. I’m in BP51, and used to hit the easy ones when they were working. Am I simply wasting my time with AO-85?
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