Five watts should be find. If I remember right, my low power record into FO-20 or FO29 was 20 milliwatts for a perfectly usable QSO. I will point out that I was using a full Oscar 10 class station. http://members.dslextreme.com/users/k6ccc/Photo/Pics/SatAnt1.html
Jim Walls K6CCC
-----Original Message----- From: "Ken M" [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2018 00:18 To: "[email protected]" [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] RF power required for linear satellites?
Hello AMSATers,
I’m wondering if 5 watts is generally sufficient RF output to work the common linear satellites using a handheld satellite antenna (Arrow or Elk)?
For example, would an FT-817ND (or the new FT-818) suffice for the uplink radio, or would you need an amplifier with those 5 (6) watt radios, or just a more powerful radio such as the FT-857D?
Thanks & 73, Ken VA7KBM _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb