I can echo what Bruce says! {uh pun intended}
Early after "Echo" (AO-51) was launched I set up a ground-plane antenna with a 432-MHz preamp and copied telemetry quite well. The antenna was a 1/4 wave 2m mag-mount whip (19-inch) set on a 12-inch square of sheet metal. The preamp was attached to the 12-foot run of RG-58. It has the same GasFet as used in the ARR preamp with about 0.5 dB NF and 20 dB gain.
BTW you will find the ARR is a good choice for satellite, and I will predict that you will be very happy with the results used with the eggbeater. Only a small yagi will better your eggbeater.
73, Ed - KL7UW got materials to build my AA2TX 2m-Lindenblad. Tony have you any dimension for a 432 version?
At 05:31 AM 4/16/2009, Bruce Robertson wrote:
On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 2:36 PM, Rick - WA4NVM wa4nvm@comcast.net wrote:
Steve,
Good luck with your testing. The ISS and A0-51 haven't been on for you to try with your setup. Try S0-50 and A0-27 at this time.
Look for you on the birds, Rick- WA4NVM
Thanks for sharing your experiments with us, Steve.
In my experience, with a omni antenna and no preamp, these two 70cm satellites are very difficult to hear if there is any significant amount of cable between the antenna and the radio. On the other hand I find that a low-noise preamp *at the antenna* with a well-built omni antenna should hear at least parts of their passes. If you're unsure that your egg-beater is working properly, consider using a simple 1/4 wave vertical with legs of about 6" at 70cm. Put this as close to the preamp as possible: I constructed mine out of the connector that mates with the preamp's connector!
snip---------
73, Bruce VE9QRP
Well, Im sorry to say that my Egg Beater experiment has yet to yield any good results. I have attempted passes on IIS, AO-51, and SO-50 and not heard a single contact. Im a trying some reconfiguring and will keep at it. I will post pictures of my progress soon and would appreciate any observations you might have.
I'll tell you, the Pre-amp thread could not have been more timely. I just ordered one from ARR. If im lucky....and im always lucky, this will make some difference.
In the mean time, I will listen for you all with the Elk and HT!
Cheers!
Steve KI6OQU