Ron, AO-51 is linear polarized. A cicrular polarized antenna of either rotation will minimize fading from Spacecraft rotation. With a linear to circular you lose 3 dB of gain and you have no cancelation for ground and building reflections that can be more severe than Spacecraft rotation depending on terrain. Art, KC6UQH
----- Original Message ----- From: "Ronald Nutter" rnutter@networkref.com To: "Edward Cole" kl7uw@acsalaska.net Cc: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2008 2:43 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Mode S Antenna question
What got me thinking about the circular polarized type of antenna is to minimize the signal dropouts from the satellite as it spins. My other thought was to put a second antenna up, orient it horizontally and put a remote antenna switch in place so that I can flip between vertical and horizontal. Is my idea sound or am I barking up the wrong tree ?
Ron KA4KYI