The F6 is a great radio and I have one that I use a lot. However...it's not full duplex. The D7 can be had for a similar cost, and is full duplex and has the built in TNC for packet ops.
Full duplex operation really makes the FM satellites easy to operate, and results in less of a logjam on the uplink because you know if you are doubling with another station. When using it with an antenna like the arrow or elk, you can also change the antenna orientation while transmitting to peak your uplink signal at the satellite. All of the FM satellites use linear receive whips, and adjusting the arrow for max signal will yield more gain than the beam itself! (20 db cross polarization versus maybe 6db from the 3 element yagi)
Now...if you use the F6 with the 817, you get full duplex on the FM AND SSB satellites, because of the all mode receiver in the F6.
73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations
----- Original Message ----- From: "Guy Brauning" guyjeanbraun@comcast.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 12:06 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50??
Thanks for reading this. I am considering buying an HT for AO-51 and SO-50 as well as AO-27 (hopefully!). I have been using a Yaesu FT-817 and either an Arrow or Elk antenna and this has worked very well; however, an HT would be easier to carry around. I am looking for recommendations / warnings / etc. specific to the Kenwood TH-F6A. I would like some advice from those who have used the radio for satellite work before I shell out $320.00. I seriously considered a used IC-W32A on e-bay but it went for over $150.00 and I couldn't see paying that much for something that may or may not work properly. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Guy
N3SCR
Finksburg, MD
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