Wes NA1ME,
I enjoyed reading your article.
Since moving to a new QTH 3 years ago after living in the previous QTH for 42 years,
I have not replaced the multitude of antennas that I once had. That includes Satellite
antennas which had been high on a roof-tower complete with AZ-EL rotators. That has
resulted in my only SAT operations being as a Rover. I have roved all over the US and
Canada and to KL7. My joy is giving new Grids to those folks striving for Gridmaster.
You can see the numerous Grids activated on my QRZ page.
Much of my operating is on the Linear SATs since the chaos and mayhem on the FM
birds can be more than I wish to deal with. Although my main enjoyment in Ham Radio
is operating HF CW (with a fair amount of FT8/4), my SAT operating is Phone. Working
CW from the tailgate of my SUV has not been in my repertoire as of yet.
Drifting up the Band on Linear SATs? I admit that am GUILTY! The rig is an IC-820 and
the antenna is an Arrow on a tripod. Operation in all respects is manual. Trying to adjust
for Doppler and tuning for callers and adjust AZ-EL on the antenna while making QSOs
is almost the limit of my capabilities. So, drifting up the Band happens until I end
up landing on someone's existing Freq/QSO. Then, I nudge my TX down again a few
KHz.
My long-time friend and mentor, John K8YSE, has sent me info on a device that can be
used without a computer to adjust my XCVR for Doppler. It's from CSN Technologies.
I'll be looking into getting one of those if it is compatible with my IC-820.
When I set up at a rove location, I try to be about 5 KHz below center on the downlink
so as not to bother regular QSO folks above center. My desire is also not to bother the
CW folks that I expect to be very low in the Bandpass. If you hear me on and want a CW
QSO, I'll answer you by using the Tone-Pad on my Mic. HIHI
73, Bob K8BL
Monday, August 23, 2021, 04:03:39 PM EDT, Wes Baden <badencapecod@gmail.com> wrote: