Hi all,
Here's my (updated!) answer:
I think you're going to need to depend on a computer prediction program. I use Predict on Linux, but there is also a PC version. Predict, at least, can tell you what the doppler-adjusted up and downlink would be for a specific satellite-perceived frequency pair. I have mine set up for mid-bandpass up and down on the linear birds, i.e. what the zero doppler values are for the satellite itself. The program then tells me what I should tune the radios to, so that the satellite hears my signal at mid-bandpass, and I hear the return at the correct pitch. Then, if your sked is at some other frequency you'll need to add or subtract to compensate. For example, if the sked is set up for 10 khz above mid-passband, I think you can just add 10 khz from your computer-predicted uplink, and subtract 10 khz from the predicted downlink (for an inverting passband), and be really close. If the sked is 10 khz below mid-band, subtract 10 from the up, and add 10 to the down. Both you and the other station will need to do the same thing, both focusing on the satellite's perception of your signals. Your individual numbers could be very different.
I hope I've got it right this time,
Greg KO6TH
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 2010 05:58:39 +0000 From: w7lrd@comcast.net To: glasbrenner@mindspring.com CC: amsat-bb@amsat.org; ko6th_greg@hotmail.com Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: probably simple
Hi Greg, Drew, etc
This conversation is starting to make my head hurt! My example is to connect with some of our European friends. Some of them I share maybe a 60 second window, with PA1TNO it is less than 30 seconds. I have had several false starts in that I heard Paul 2E1EUB, by the time I located my downlink on his, he was gone. I want to predetermine where to set my uplink for a given downlink. There just is no the time be looking around. Like I said this is probably simple I'm just have trouble getting my thinking around the concept. Also if say I am planning on a downlink of 145.950 will Paul be looking at the same frequency? In the past these concepts never concerned me as there was always plenty of time to yak it up with the locals on AO-7.
73 Bob W7LRD
CN87 Seattle, Wa.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" glasbrenner@mindspring.com To: "Greg D." ko6th_greg@hotmail.com Cc: w7lrd@comcast.net, amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2010 9:30:44 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: probably simple
But any pass where you are really stretching the footprint is going to be a low elevation pass. The more you stretch, the lower the pass. In the limit, I think Bob's ultimate pass has a peak at .001-degrees for both stations. If you're doing that, then you're at TCA, and zero doppler.
That's all I meant to convey,
Greg KO6TH
I understand, but with all due respect your assumption is incorrect that long distance QSOs are always at TCA and zero Doppler, even theoretically . This is only the case when the two stations are at near right angles to the track of the satellite.
Use the following example. If I want to work LU5BOJ/O in FG75 from EL88 on HO-68, my only windows are at either LOS or AOS, depending on whether it is an ascending or descending pass. Neither pass will be a low pass for either station, and neither QSO will occur at TCA or zero Doppler.
In Bob's case, let's look at his next possible window with Paul, 2E1EUB in IO92. Bob is in CN76. At the beginning of the 1 minute window tomorrow at 1251Z, Bob's Doppler shift on 432 is -3.68 khz.
On the next mutual window at 1452Z, the beginning Doppler is -7.93 khz. On the next, at 2020Z, it's -8.3 khz. None of these windows are over 2 degrees elevation, and none are at TCA for either station.
When you have 60s to make the QSO, being right dead on frequency is essential.
Respectfully, Drew KO4MA
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