At 02:30 PM 2/10/2008, Bill Dzurilla wrote:
I know full duplex is the best, but is there a practical way to work VO-52 and other linear transponder birds w/o duplex?
73, Bill NZ5N
Hi Bill,
Yes. It is not really all that difficult either. I have made contacts on VO-52 and other satellites using just an FT-817 and omni antennas and also mobile while driving to and from work using an FT-100 with an ATAS vertical.
I used an old 386 laptop running InstantTrack and InstantTune software to set the radio VFOs. Using this software, it is not much different than doing regular HF contacts. You just tune with the radio dial to find a station or a clear spot and then you PTT. The software does all the work of setting the VFOs and doppler tracking.
Please feel free to email me if you would like more info.
73, Tony AA2TX