Doug,

I have a similar situation - I live in an apartment building here in Washington, DC, and when I wanted to get on the satellites, I had to figure out how to do it where it wouldn't take any time to setup and take down a station between passes. I now have a large DSLR camera bag fitted with shoulder straps carrying 2 Yaesu FT-817s, preamps, a voice recorder, Two MFJ diplexers for filtering on both transmit and receive, a Microset VUR-30 amplifier, and a 5100 mAh 3S LiPo battery to power the amplifier. This gives me a satellite station capable of 20-25 watts output that is completely carryable. When I want to work a pass, I just grab the bag, put it over my shoulders, grab the Arrow and step out onto the balcony or head outside. In the absence of obstructions, this station is capable of working any LEO satellite horizon to horizon.

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Fri, Jan 22, 2016 at 3:12 PM, Douglas Tabor dtabor@estesvalley.net wrote:

Sure makes me want to have a fixed location station, but given the condo life and that I’m effectively roving from my deck or my driveway (as well as the fun places I get to travel to, my 3 part (FT-530, Arrow and Peltor headset) full-duplex station is just what I need.

When I figure out how to make the borrowed Flex-5000 work at home, I’ll go linear - or if I win the PowerBall. [Hardest part is using a SDR computer in outside in the sun.]

73,

Doug, N6UA _______________________________________________ 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