For Philip and the group,
Here’s the suggestion that’s been floating around since 2011. It stemmed from a discussion with Keith Pugh, W5IU:
I spent quite a bit of time with Keith Pugh, W5IU, of AMSAT, who also owns a D72A. We commiserated over the fact that the new radio doesn't allow for separate PTT and Tune of the A and B bands.
We'd like to suggest that a future firmware update offer a RADIO MENU Option for PTT which would toggle through: NORMAL, A=PTT/B=TUNE, A=TUNE/B=PTT. The Band selected for TUNE would be flagged with the standard solid "arrowhead" and the Band selected for PTT would be flagged with a "flashing" "arrowhead".
This would allow for easier use of the radio for LEO satellite work, especially when the download needs to be tuned. Right now, the operator needs to remember what Band is selected and ensure the correct Band is chosen before changing the frequency, either via VFO or Memory Channel.
It's very easy to get confused and change the uplink frequency and, then, transmit on the downlink. Having separate PTT/TUNE would make this radio a lot more fun for satellite use.
Maybe someone’s listening out there who could help.
73, Frank K5HS (ex KR1ZAN)
On Jul 4, 2015, at 20:42, Frank Krizan frank.krizan@verizon.net wrote:
Hi Philip,
I’ve just gotten used to pressing the A/B switch to toggle the PTT/Tune to the frequency I want to change. It’s a pain. I usually program in memories for AOS, AOS+, MID, MID+, and LOS. And, once in a while, I change the wrong channel or transmit on the wrong frequency. I’ve suggested a firmware change to everyone who will listen to offer a PTT selection and TUNE selection so the operator doesn’t have to toggle the A/B; but, so far, no success.
If the D72A could also have smaller frequency steps and the ability to select which radio (A or B) was designated for PTT and for TUNE, the D72A would be a great HT for portable use.
From what I’ve been able to determine, you cannot ‘link’ VHF and UHF memories together to achieve the split function you described. This would be another firmware option that could offer some convenience.
I love the D72A, and, it’s a shame that to work the [flame off] Easy Sats, it’s easier to buy a $39 radio than to use a very full featured radio.
Maybe if more folks agreed with the suggestion, Kenwood would listen.
I would also like to see a new HT with a Bluetooth interface to allow for iOS or Android Apps which could remotely change the frequencies or channels during a pass. This could also allow for audio interfaces for PSK-31, APRS, Packet, and more.
73, Frank K5HS
On Jul 4, 2015, at 20:15, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I bought a D72A a little over a year ago because it had APRS built-in; this made it very handy for the balloon-chasing I used to do.
Now I'm trying to set it up for SO-50. I'm successfully putting it into full-duplex mode - with the 144 Mhz freq (pl 67.0) on the B-band, and the 435 Mhz frequency on A-band. (Duplex cannot be engaged while the radio is on the A-band.) I'm running into two problems though.
1 ) Whenever I want to change the receive (downlink) frequency because of Doppler, turning the knob changes the B-band side, the transmit, which is what I don't want. As it is, since I can't get the 435Mhz to change, this setting is only going to allow me to hear the satellite mid-pass
- I had the idea of putting this/these VFO settings - including duplex -
into memories, one memory for each 5 Khz step on receive. When I follow the manual directions for entering odd splits in memory, whenever I check to see what's in the memory by transmitting, (it appears) I'm just transmitting simplex on the 435Mhz frequency; the radio's display doesn't change (other than the s-meter showing that power is being transmitted).
I'm wondering how others are making their D72s work successfully on SO-50. Is/are there (a) certain step(s) that I'm missing in order to change the receive frequency AND enter full-duplex VFO settings into memory successfully?
Thanks for the help...either replying to the BB or to me personally is ok. ( N4HF@AMSAT.ORG)
Philip N4HF EM85 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb