Since FM handhelds are so cheap, there's not much downside to starting out there, even though SO-50 is the only operational FM satellite at the moment. I do enjoy the linear transponders and it's worth it in my opinion to get the equipment necessary to use them. They are a much more relaxed environment than the FM satellites, at least when a rare grid or country isn't on! AO-7, FO-29, and AO-73 don't require a ton of expensive equipment at all, but it surely will run more than the $30 for an HT.
I strongly suggest operating full duplex, using a second HT as the downlink receiver. When operating full duplex, you know if your transmission is making it through the satellite and if you are doubling with someone else, which is extremely helpful.
Hopefully, three more FM satellites will be available for our use by the end of this year:
EO-80 (European-OSCAR 80, QB50p2) - In orbit, but currently completing a test mission for the QB50 project. When activated for amateur use, it'll have a 435.080 MHz uplink (210.7 Hz PL) and a 145.840 MHz downlink ( http://www.amsat-f.org/spip/spip.php?article82)
Fox-1A - Launch scheduled for August 27, 2015 from Vandenberg Air Force Base with the NROL-55 mission as part of NASA's ELaNa program. Uplink will be 435.180 MHz (67.0 Hz PL), downlink will be 145.980 MHz.
Fox-1C - Launch is scheduled for the third quarter of this year. AMSAT purchased a slot on Spaceflight Services' inaugural SHERPA mission (please donate to the launch fund here if you can https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/6pz92/ab/f3qmG9). No frequencies announced yet.
The radio is only half the battle, you'll also need an antenna. There is no shortage of construction projects if you want to build one and there are two main commercial models, the Arrow and the Elk. I find the Arrow to be superior to the Elk for receiving the 70cm downlink of SO-50. Any omnidirectional antenna such as an extended whip is likely to be useless on SO-50 except in the very best of operating conditions.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 12:06 PM, Steve Kristoff skristof@etczone.com wrote:
Thanks to all for the info on the handhelds. I appreciate your quick responses and personal insights and experiences. After a little more research on the subject, it looks like SO-50 is the only operational FM repeater satellite? Is that correct and,if so, is a dual-band FM handheld still a reasonable option for getting started? Looks like the upcoming FOX satellites are going to be FM repeaters, so maybe it's still worth it? Again, as a newbie, I appreciate your thoughts.
Steve AI9IN skristof@etczone.com
On Wed, Jan 21, 2015 at 10:08 AM, jerry.tuyls@telenet.be wrote:
Steve
The Yaesu FT-60 works FB on FM sats, just 1 memory needed.You can tune
the
downlink from the stored memory which works great, so no need to program
10
channels with different freqs. Or u can use 1 FT-817ND with the interface on ARRL store to tune freqs by pc. Can work all sats!
73's
Jerry,ON4CJQ
----- Oorspronkelijk bericht ----- Van: "Steve Kristoff" skristof@etczone.com Aan: amsat-bb@amsat.org Verzonden: Dinsdag 20 januari 2015 23:18:11 Onderwerp: [amsat-bb] Handheld for LEO satellites?
I'm new to the list and have been listening to some satellites. I'd like to move on to QSOs. Can folks recommend a handheld that will get me on
the
most commonly used satellites? I'd be grateful for multiple suggestions
and
reviews. Thanks!
Steve Kristoff AI9IN skristof@etczone.com
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Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb