There is no "secret decoder ring" necessary. Simply pick a frequency in the transponder's passband and tune your uplink to stay on that frequency. (Tune uplink because it is the higher of the two frequencies.) You will drift slightly across the transponder but this has never been a problem even during a busy weekend such as Field Day.
Full computer control works but only if you tweak it during the pass. This is easily done with SatPC32 and the +/- buttons on your keyboard. I strongly recommend tuning manually.
AO-73 is a great satellite. It's easy to hear and workable with modest antennas at very low power.
73 Clayton W5PFG
On 12/10/2015 16:07, Bob wrote:
My personal opinion is that the required frequency offsets have never been formally published, just the theoretical ones. Someone familiar with satellite operation isn't going to be looking nearly as far off frequency as is required to operate through AO-73. I've never seen an offset less than 8 KHz from published TX values, I've seen it as high as 15 KHz. I've asked our UK brothers to publish this, but it doesn't seem to be in the card.
Once you figure out the magic decoder ring setting, and get on frequency, it is a wonderful bird.
73, Bob, WB4SON
On Thu, Dec 10, 2015 at 2:17 PM, Bryan KL7CN bryan@kl7cn.net wrote:
Me too, Jack!
I don't think it is widely known that the transponder is active when the satellite is in darkness.
I wonder how we could market that a little better?
--bag
Bryan KL7CN/W6
On Dec 10, 2015, at 10:56, Jack Colson jcolson7@tampabay.rr.com wrote:
On the mid-evening passes the last two nights the transponder has been on but no activity. I am hearing my uplink fairly well. 73, Jack, W3TMZ _______________________________________________ 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://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb