I had more trouble than I recall the last time I picked up the ISS, but that was last June, and I think the Russians were making the contact. I caught a few words during the pass, but it was only near the end of the pass (in Houston), with the ISS about ten degrees or so above the horizon that I heard an answer to a question about what stars look like from space.
73, --Bill, KG5FQX
PS As a bonus I was able to catch a pass of SO-50 about a half-hour later. :-)
On Fri, Feb 19, 2016 at 12:28 PM, John Brier johnbrier@gmail.com wrote:
I'm not comparing the signal to the 20-25 watt Kenwood in the Russian segment. The Russians haven't done any US contacts since last summer AFAIK, but it is waaayyy stronger, for sure.
The idea that it was solar panels or orientation might explain it but I did have difficulty through most of the pass. You.would think signal strength would change through the pass if it were solar panels at least. Hmm.
KG4AKV On Feb 19, 2016 1:18 PM, "Daniel Cussen" dan@post.com wrote:
The default is to use the handheld from the Columbus module. In some cases a mobile rig from the russian segment is used which is much stronger. The orientation of the ISS and the movements of solar panels also make a difference. So normally the same radio/antenna combination as the packet is used, so coverage/signal should be similar.
Which contact are you comparing the signal to (date/time)? What was the max elevation of that contact and what was your max elevation this time?
(There is a plan to replace the faulty mobile rig in the colombus module at some stage)
On 19/02/2016, JoAnne K9JKM joanne.k9jkm@gmail.com wrote:
It sounded to me like the ISS was using the 5 watt Ericsson HT instead
of
the higher power Kenwood rig. I've noticed that the signal strength
varies
with the position of the ISS with respect to my station when working
packet
via their HT. I'm running on a vertical until the weather improves to
get
my yagi back up.
-- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm@amsat.org
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