One thing I might add: often I encounter stations spending a lot of time trying to find themselves on the transponder. I suspect they are trying to calibrate their SatPC32/MacDoppler/gpredict. Sadly, they spend so much time doing so that they miss out on the precious transponder time. Ditting/hola/test-test-test without sending a callsign doesn't even make for a good SWL report.
I would suggest stations NOT try using computer control and enjoy the transponder with manual control.
Chances are if you are not hearing your own downlink on AO-73, you probably either have a poor antenna/feedline OR (more likely) you are not listening in the correct corresponding downlink frequency for your uplink frequency into the transponder. AO-73 is VERY easy to hear!
73 Clayton W5PFG
On 8/17/2015 21:13, Paul Stoetzer wrote:
Good evening,
As we're nearly two months pass the Summer Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere, transponder time is increasing on evening passes over North America. Here in Washington, DC, on the 0155Z pass, I had 6 minutes and 10 seconds of pass time from AOS until the satellite entered sunlight and the transponder switched off. I heard and worked PV8DX at my AOS, but no other stations were heard.
AO-73 is currently the only amateur satellite consistently available during regular evening hours, even if not for an entire pass, so let's hear some more activity! It's really quite an easy satellite to work with the strong downlink.
73,
Paul, N8HM