Happy New Year to everyone.
So for the second evening in a row, as I monitored BY70-1 for telemetry packets, I noticed performance on the FM voice transponder that prompts me to ask a question.
Specifically, I hear K8YSE getting into the satellite with a crystal clearness that you would expect from a simplex QSO with someone in your front yard. Unfortunately, he’s been by himself for the most part... a station or two might try to get in but you just get fragments or a lot of static.
As a novice, should that make me think that this satellite requires a lot of ERP to get into cleanly? Or maybe with the TLE’s changing so rapidly, is this sat just more difficult to track than the others?
One other variable tonight is the weather; I suppose anyone using a hand-held antenna who normally works outside might be off the air because of all the rain in parts of the country right now. Maybe it’s just a lot of football on TV!
I know that any answer might be speculation, but when I hear something happen on the air repeatedly it makes me want to see if I can learn the cause (or possible causes).
Thanks!
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA twitter: @scott23192
Scott, John, K8YSE is the Gold Standard, so I'm looking forward to his reply to your question. (I'm waiting before dabbling with BY70-1, but we better be quick !)
HNY and 73, Ted K7TRK
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Scott Sent: Monday, January 2, 2017 8:13 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] BY70-1 Observation & Question
Happy New Year to everyone.
So for the second evening in a row, as I monitored BY70-1 for telemetry packets, I noticed performance on the FM voice transponder that prompts me to ask a question.
Specifically, I hear K8YSE getting into the satellite with a crystal clearness that you would expect from a simplex QSO with someone in your front yard. Unfortunately, he’s been by himself for the most part... a station or two might try to get in but you just get fragments or a lot of static.
As a novice, should that make me think that this satellite requires a lot of ERP to get into cleanly? Or maybe with the TLE’s changing so rapidly, is this sat just more difficult to track than the others?
One other variable tonight is the weather; I suppose anyone using a hand-held antenna who normally works outside might be off the air because of all the rain in parts of the country right now. Maybe it’s just a lot of football on TV!
I know that any answer might be speculation, but when I hear something happen on the air repeatedly it makes me want to see if I can learn the cause (or possible causes).
Thanks!
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA twitter: @scott23192 _______________________________________________ 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
Ted,
I worked the last pass over SoCal from my driveway with 500mW. I had little trouble getting in once it cleared the local obstructions.
Hand guided Elk with VFO Doppler tuning. I think most people have outdated keps so they're way off. I've worked this bird a couple times now and never over 2.5W with 817 as an uplink. As usual, QRO isn't the answer.
73's
Mike Diehl AI6GS
On Jan 2, 2017, at 8:42 PM, Ted k7trkradio@charter.net wrote:
Scott, John, K8YSE is the Gold Standard, so I'm looking forward to his reply to your question. (I'm waiting before dabbling with BY70-1, but we better be quick !)
HNY and 73, Ted K7TRK
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Scott Sent: Monday, January 2, 2017 8:13 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] BY70-1 Observation & Question
Happy New Year to everyone.
So for the second evening in a row, as I monitored BY70-1 for telemetry packets, I noticed performance on the FM voice transponder that prompts me to ask a question.
Specifically, I hear K8YSE getting into the satellite with a crystal clearness that you would expect from a simplex QSO with someone in your front yard. Unfortunately, he’s been by himself for the most part... a station or two might try to get in but you just get fragments or a lot of static.
As a novice, should that make me think that this satellite requires a lot of ERP to get into cleanly? Or maybe with the TLE’s changing so rapidly, is this sat just more difficult to track than the others?
One other variable tonight is the weather; I suppose anyone using a hand-held antenna who normally works outside might be off the air because of all the rain in parts of the country right now. Maybe it’s just a lot of football on TV!
I know that any answer might be speculation, but when I hear something happen on the air repeatedly it makes me want to see if I can learn the cause (or possible causes).
Thanks!
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA twitter: @scott23192 _______________________________________________ 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
Hi Mike,
Good to work you on the last 06:00z pass. Also heard KK6OTJ, but never made 2x contact.
For a change, the bird seemed alive and well from the beginning of the pass until nearly the end (vs before when I couldn't work it until after TCA). In fact, it seems like it was too active too soon, suggesting my keps are late. I'm using the keps from object 41909, updated from Celestrak right before the pass. Is that the best set?
Greg KO6TH
Mike Diehl wrote:
Ted,
I worked the last pass over SoCal from my driveway with 500mW. I had little trouble getting in once it cleared the local obstructions.
Hand guided Elk with VFO Doppler tuning. I think most people have outdated keps so they're way off. I've worked this bird a couple times now and never over 2.5W with 817 as an uplink. As usual, QRO isn't the answer.
73's
Mike Diehl AI6GS
On Jan 2, 2017, at 8:42 PM, Ted k7trkradio@charter.net wrote:
Scott, John, K8YSE is the Gold Standard, so I'm looking forward to his reply to your question. (I'm waiting before dabbling with BY70-1, but we better be quick !)
HNY and 73, Ted K7TRK
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Scott Sent: Monday, January 2, 2017 8:13 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] BY70-1 Observation & Question
Happy New Year to everyone.
So for the second evening in a row, as I monitored BY70-1 for telemetry packets, I noticed performance on the FM voice transponder that prompts me to ask a question.
Specifically, I hear K8YSE getting into the satellite with a crystal clearness that you would expect from a simplex QSO with someone in your front yard. Unfortunately, he’s been by himself for the most part... a station or two might try to get in but you just get fragments or a lot of static.
As a novice, should that make me think that this satellite requires a lot of ERP to get into cleanly? Or maybe with the TLE’s changing so rapidly, is this sat just more difficult to track than the others?
One other variable tonight is the weather; I suppose anyone using a hand-held antenna who normally works outside might be off the air because of all the rain in parts of the country right now. Maybe it’s just a lot of football on TV!
I know that any answer might be speculation, but when I hear something happen on the air repeatedly it makes me want to see if I can learn the cause (or possible causes).
Thanks!
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA twitter: @scott23192 _______________________________________________ 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
Greg,
Thanks for the QSO. I was able to hear you down to my visible LOS, San Gabriel mountains do a good job of blocking the birds to the north.
As far as keps go if you're using the Celestrak New Launches then you have the most current. Even with that it seems like people are sometimes off enough to struggle getting in. This seems to be where hand guided has the upper hand, pun intended. Unfortunately, it seems like this isn't going to change considering the short expected life.
QRO probably helps a few because they're catching the bird with a less than optimal part of their antenna radiation pattern. RX quality can lead you to think you're in the right direction but I think I could receive this bird with a BNC stuck in a potato. I actually heard WD9EWK the other day near LOS with Elk laying on top of my truck.
Personally, my biggest struggle is the delayed audio. I catch myself speaking slowly and noticed other operators doing the same thing. When I listen to my recordings I almost sound like I had one too many cold ones before the pass hi hi.
Scott probably hit the nail on the head as to why activity has been a little slim. I haven't been on as many passes because we have been getting some rain for a change.
73's
Mike Diehl AI6GS
On Jan 2, 2017, at 11:45 PM, Greg D ko6th.greg@gmail.com wrote:
Hi Mike,
Good to work you on the last 06:00z pass. Also heard KK6OTJ, but never made 2x contact.
For a change, the bird seemed alive and well from the beginning of the pass until nearly the end (vs before when I couldn't work it until after TCA). In fact, it seems like it was too active too soon, suggesting my keps are late. I'm using the keps from object 41909, updated from Celestrak right before the pass. Is that the best set?
Greg KO6TH
Mike Diehl wrote:
Ted,
I worked the last pass over SoCal from my driveway with 500mW. I had little trouble getting in once it cleared the local obstructions.
Hand guided Elk with VFO Doppler tuning. I think most people have outdated keps so they're way off. I've worked this bird a couple times now and never over 2.5W with 817 as an uplink. As usual, QRO isn't the answer.
73's
Mike Diehl AI6GS
On Jan 2, 2017, at 8:42 PM, Ted k7trkradio@charter.net wrote:
Scott, John, K8YSE is the Gold Standard, so I'm looking forward to his reply to your question. (I'm waiting before dabbling with BY70-1, but we better be quick !)
HNY and 73, Ted K7TRK
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Scott Sent: Monday, January 2, 2017 8:13 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] BY70-1 Observation & Question
Happy New Year to everyone.
So for the second evening in a row, as I monitored BY70-1 for telemetry packets, I noticed performance on the FM voice transponder that prompts me to ask a question.
Specifically, I hear K8YSE getting into the satellite with a crystal clearness that you would expect from a simplex QSO with someone in your front yard. Unfortunately, he’s been by himself for the most part... a station or two might try to get in but you just get fragments or a lot of static.
As a novice, should that make me think that this satellite requires a lot of ERP to get into cleanly? Or maybe with the TLE’s changing so rapidly, is this sat just more difficult to track than the others?
One other variable tonight is the weather; I suppose anyone using a hand-held antenna who normally works outside might be off the air because of all the rain in parts of the country right now. Maybe it’s just a lot of football on TV!
I know that any answer might be speculation, but when I hear something happen on the air repeatedly it makes me want to see if I can learn the cause (or possible causes).
Thanks!
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA twitter: @scott23192 _______________________________________________ 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
Hi Scott,
I can't speak for John K8YSE either, although he does very good at getting into the birds. One thing that does help is that he has two stations, K8YSE in EN91 and K8YSE/7 in DM43, which he operates remotely. I actually listened to him work BY70-1 and SO-50 from both stations on a single pass. Can't speak to the TX power or antenna configuration he has.
I have been pretty successful with getting into BY70-1 with the 7W TX power on my satellite 'battle station'. There are a couple of things to keep in mind regarding working BY70-1:
1) The TLEs of BY70-1 are changing rapidly, so it is advised to use the TLEs provided through Celestrak New Launches.
2) The low perigee of its orbits makes for wickedly fast passes. I just worked one that was 8 minutes long. I worked one a few days ago that passed almost directly overhead and was a little over 6 minutes. Antenna pointing agility/accuracy are important.
3) It has been stated that BY70-1 has a narrow RX bandwidth. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust your TX frequency often to get in. On 12/29/2016, I posted a suggested frequency list for use with channelized radios that I have found to work well from my own experience.
Hope this helps.
Mac Cody / AE5PH
P.S. We had a QSO back on 12/22, so I recognized your call sign.
On 01/02/2017 10:13 PM, Scott wrote:
Happy New Year to everyone.
So for the second evening in a row, as I monitored BY70-1 for telemetry packets, I noticed performance on the FM voice transponder that prompts me to ask a question.
Specifically, I hear K8YSE getting into the satellite with a crystal clearness that you would expect from a simplex QSO with someone in your front yard. Unfortunately, he’s been by himself for the most part... a station or two might try to get in but you just get fragments or a lot of static.
As a novice, should that make me think that this satellite requires a lot of ERP to get into cleanly? Or maybe with the TLE’s changing so rapidly, is this sat just more difficult to track than the others?
One other variable tonight is the weather; I suppose anyone using a hand-held antenna who normally works outside might be off the air because of all the rain in parts of the country right now. Maybe it’s just a lot of football on TV!
I know that any answer might be speculation, but when I hear something happen on the air repeatedly it makes me want to see if I can learn the cause (or possible causes).
Thanks!
-Scott, K4KDR Montpelier, VA twitter: @scott23192 _______________________________________________ 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
participants (5)
-
Greg D -
Mac A. Cody -
Mike Diehl -
Scott -
Ted