KB7IJ and I are very active on XW-2A, 2B, 2C, as well as CAS-4A and CAS-4B. We operate SSB usually a bit below the "standard" center band pair because we experience some pretty strong WIFI/router interference in the "normal" area.
What we have found is there are a LOT of people who don't listen anywhere but their favorite watering hole. The primary reason is they are using conventional radios on the downlink. This is a significant handicap. IN In fact, one might as well be operating while wearing a blind fold.
Anyone who is serious about sat ops should invest in an SDR and use it to receive. You can see the entire passband all the time. I can't tell you how many times I'v e heard people say there is no one on the birds...when in fact, people are there calling CQ. Or, like me, reciting az and el, polarity and signal strength (which I am recording with the SDR software, btw).
If you get an SDR and run the SDRC v3.0.x software, you will find full sat capability, including the ability to control an external radio for uplink. Automatic doppler, everything you could want, pass prediction, real time AZ/EL map display, etc.
If you have never run an SDR for sat work with good software (which is free), you have no idea how unaware you are of what is happening on and around these birds.
There is a LOT going on that is being missed by being chained to old technology.
...and I'm not denying that empty passes exist. They do. I have called CQ for entire passes. Once I notice the lack of activity. I turn on the audio recording (which is nothing but the press of a button in the software) and collect data on the effects of polarization, obstructions, vegetative losses, etc. It is quite easy, just recite the current conditions and and let the software do the work.
Having operated with standard high quality radios back in the days of AO-6/7/8/10/13 and 40, I can simply state, there is NO comparison in operating capabilities and convenience between traditional radios for satellite downlinks vs. SDRs.
Check them out, they are not expensive. You will never go back once you have used an SDR with decent software for your satellite downlink. Seeing IS believing!
73, N0AN Hasan
On Tue, Jan 29, 2019 at 10:35 PM Les Rayburn [email protected] wrote:
I’m a bit of a nomad, and have always enjoyed taking the roads less travelled. That applies to my hobby as well—those of us who work VHF are a fairly rare bunch. Those who work satellites; not often spotted in the wild.
But apparently, rarer still are those who enjoy making contacts on satellites that are not AO-91, A0-92, SO-50, and FO-29.
Working from home today, so I got on nearly every satellite pass over the United States. Alternated between calling CQ and searching for others to work.
The results of working eight different passes? Four contacts for the day. Two on SO-50, one each on AO-91 and FO-29.
Called CQ on XW-2A at dinner time. High elevation pass. Good strong downlink the entire pass from horizon to horizon. Nada…
It did net me an SWL report from Mark Gluch, KB3CI who heard me loud and clean in EN82 near Detroit. He doesn’t have the transmit side working yet for the linear birds, but will soon.
Ditto on AO-7, a whole pass on FO-29 this morning, and at least three of the XW birds.
Last weekend, I listed to the L band activity on AO-91 and there was a ton more activity there than I heard today. (I’m working on getting the 1296 Yagi up so I can join you folks.)
We’ve got a sky full of great satellites that perform well. Let’s use them.
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF 121 Mayfair Park Maylene, AL 35114 EM63nf
Member WTFDA, IRCA, NRC. Former CPC Chairman for NRC & IRCA.
Elad FDM-S2 SDR, AirSpy SDR2, SDRPlay RSP-2 Pro, Sony XDR-F1HD [XDR Guy Modified], Dennon TU-1500RD, Sangean HDT-1X, Ray Dees RDS Decoders, Korner 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Kitz Technologies KT-501 Pre-amps, Quantum Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip.
“Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…”
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