Re: My First Satellite Contacts
I hear that comment about the linear satellites, "costing a lot". For years I ran a couple of single band all mode transceivers. Probably 20 years old and you have to adjust for doppler correction with that big knob. However they work quite well and can be had for the cost of a "bell and whistle" hand held. Hamfests, ebay they're all over the place.
73 Bob W7LRD
Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rick Tejera" saguaroastro@cox.net To: "Ben Napper" ben.napper@gmail.com, amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 9:19:09 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: My First Satellite Contacts
Ben,
Congratulations and welcome to the kool-aid. You never forget your first satellite contact, mine was W6AJP 21 July @ 0100UT on AO-51.
Your comments are spot on. What's the saying? We have two ears so we should listen twice as much as we talk.
Like you, I'd love to get on the linear birds, but it's just not financially feasible right now. Someday....
I use both HRD and N3FPJ's Contact log. I also keep a paper log as well and Just recently set up for LotW. HRD is free and N3FPJ does ask for a $19 registration fee, But I tend to lean that way, $19 is not a big expense in my book and I like the way it work better. Hat being said I upload to LotW from HRD, because I've figured that part out first :). Try 'em both (N3FPJ has a 45 day free demo period) and go with what works best for you.
Go here for information about LotW and Satellite logging:
http://www.arrl.org/files/file/LoTW%2520Instructions/N5JB.pdf
Again Welcome to the birds. Hope to work you soon.
73
Clear Skies
Rick Tejera
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
www.saguaroastro.org
saguaroastro@cox.net
K7TEJ, AMSAT 38452
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Ben Napper Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 14:32 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] My First Satellite Contacts
Wow!
I've been grinning ear-to-ear for a little while now that I have my first
satellite contacts completed. I find it astonishing that a hobby as mundane
sounding as Amateur Radio can have any aspect of it that is
as exhilarating as this experience has been. From the day I got my Tech
ticket, I've wanted to work the birds, but, being a younger ham, life takes
its turns. Thank you to my #1 - K8YSE, #2 - AC0RA, #3 - W7JPI, #4 - WA4NV,
and #5 - K8TL.
That said, I've learned a few things while lurking on here and the
satellites.
- Be patient. There's a lot of hams and only a few FM birds. (I'd love to
get into the linear birds too, but I'd need congressional approval from the
wife for the budgetary consideration required to make that a reality.)
- Don't try to transmit on the bird's downlink frequency. No matter how
hard you try, you will be doing a lot of talking to yourself.
- Clean up the dog poo in the backyard.
Now, some questions: I want to use Ham Radio Deluxe as my log (unless I hear
of something that is much better) and I'm setup for LotW. How often should
I upload to LotW? Are there any gotchas with logging satellite contacts?
Best practices?
Also, I want to (eventually) do paper QSL cards. If you do them, how do you
usually handle them? Who do you recommend to use to get them made?
Thanks,
Ben Napper - KC0PCQ
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_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi!
I hear that comment about the linear satellites, "costing a lot". For years I ran a couple of single band all mode transceivers. Probably 20 years old and you have to adjust for doppler correction with that big knob. However they work quite well and can be had for the cost of a "bell and whistle" hand held. Hamfests, ebay they're all over the place.
Or look for the all-mode HF/VHF/UHF radios at swapmeets and online, and get a pair for your satellite station. There are radios out there that won't break the bank. Yes, more than a dual-band FM HT or mobile radio, but not a whole lot more. Even going back 15 years to a radio like an IC-706Mk2, you would have the option of computer control using software like SatPC32 or possibly HRD (among others).
I'm using a portable all-mode satellite station - normally two FT-817NDs, sometimes one FT-817ND with a Kenwood TH-F6A (TH-F7 outside the Americas - this HT has an all-mode receiver from HF up to 70cm), always with an Elk 2m/70cm log periodic. Other than the antenna and some accessories deemed unsafe for carry-on luggage on aircraft, my station fits in an old laptop bag and goes where I go. The 817s could be controlled by software, but I spin the "big knob" on each radio as I work stations instead of also setting up a computer to run the radios. You don't need a lot of power to work SSB, just as many work FM satellites with HTs.
Good luck, and 73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK (soon to be VK/WD9EWK) http://www.wd9ewk.net/
At 03:34 PM 5/18/2011, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote:
Or look for the all-mode HF/VHF/UHF radios at swapmeets and online, and get a pair for your satellite station. There are radios out there that won't break the bank. Yes, more than a dual-band FM HT or mobile radio, but not a whole lot more. Even going back 15 years to a radio like an IC-706Mk2, you would have the option of computer control using software like SatPC32 or possibly HRD (among others).
The old single band radios have now come down to reasonable prices. Another alternative is something like a FT-736 off eBay for a base station, which can be computer controlled. Software selection is limited, though there is an interface to make the FT-736 look like an FT-847 to software such as HRD. I have beta tested this interface myself and it works extremely well, and opens the 736 to a lot more radio control software. I haven't heard if/when it's going to be made available, but I hope it can be sold to 736 owners.
I'm using a portable all-mode satellite station - normally two FT-817NDs, sometimes one FT-817ND with a Kenwood TH-F6A (TH-F7 outside the Americas - this HT has an all-mode receiver from HF up to 70cm), always with an Elk 2m/70cm log periodic. Other than the antenna and some accessories deemed unsafe for carry-on luggage on aircraft, my station fits in an old laptop bag and goes where I go. The 817s could be controlled by software, but I spin the "big knob" on each radio as I work stations instead of also setting up a computer to run the radios. You don't need a lot of power to work SSB, just as many work FM satellites with HTs.
I have been using the FT-736 and an IC-7000 in tandem for the SSB birds. Unfortunately, in the shack, my antennas let me down (receive being the biggest issue), so I haven't been able to do any more than simply test. I'd need a setup like yours to go portable, which would be an interesting exercise without computer control (tuning and aiming an antenna at the same time :) ).
Unfortunately, while I was tempted, I had to stop short of buying an FT-817ND, it's still on the wish list for portable work.
73 de VK3JED / VK3IRL http://vkradio.com
participants (3)
-
Bob- W7LRD -
Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) -
Tony Langdon