Here is ONE site that has 'bout everything you need to know to work the current FM birds ...
Clint, K6LCS
... Would someone be kind enough to give me a list of frequencies with doppler
correction for the Fm birds. I have Ao51 but not heard for a while . Its for easy programming into my Ht.
... go to AMSAT's sat status page ...
Personally, I prefer to get folks in the habit of checking the actual control team pages for the various FM birds. That leaves any "middlemen" and third=party Web site editing delays out of the equation.
I mean, what better info is there than that published by those who actually control the satellites?
Clint, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 3:50 PM, Clint Bradford clintbradford@mac.com wrote:
... go to AMSAT's sat status page ...
Personally, I prefer to get folks in the habit of checking the actual control team pages for the various FM birds. That leaves any "middlemen" and third=party Web site editing delays out of the equation.
I mean, what better info is there than that published by those who actually control the satellites?
I too am a beginner and wondered about how to calculate doppler and/or determine a rough estimation based on pass information (elevation/az, etc.). I tend to start about 10 kHz up on any given pass which seems to be a reasonable approximation for most of the birds so far (I started this way because I followed the AO-27 FAQ).
My biggest challenge is finding the signal while adjusting for doppler. Once I get it though, I'm good for the rest of the pass! :-)
-aps
... I tend to start about 10 kHz up on any given pass ...
If your rig can be programmed at 5kHZ increments, I believe you'll have better results!
Check out the programming charts on that work-sat Web site ...
Clint Bradford, K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com 909-241-7666 - PDT
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 4:32 PM, Clint Bradford clintbradford@mac.com wrote:
... I tend to start about 10 kHz up on any given pass ...
If your rig can be programmed at 5kHZ increments, I believe you'll have better results!
It can. I set the step size! :-)
Check out the programming charts on that work-sat Web site ...
Definitely.
Thanks!
-aps
Alexandar,
I am not sure how you have it programmed into the radio so far, but I would program 5 memory frequencies into your HT:
(AO27)
436.805 (AOS) 436.800 436.795 (TCA - Time Of Closest Approach) 436.790 436.785 (LOS)
Since AO27 switches off way before LOS, you will probably never need the last frequency - 436.785 - but these would be the common frequency steps for a typical bird like AO51, SO50, etc. Don't be afraid to make adjustments either. I find that to hear the 30 sec. of TLM right before AO27 switches to VOX I have to be at 436.810. This is probably more a feature of the radio itself. If you are having trouble hear at AOS or LOS, try adjusting your downlink by 5kHz.
You can also add alpha-numeric tags to your frequencies to keep them in order:
AO27-1 AO27-2 AO27-TCA AO27-4 AO27-5
There are many different variations you can choose from.
73!
Zack KD8KSN
-----Original Message----- From: Alexander Sack Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 4:23 PM To: Clint Bradford Cc: Clint Bradford ; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Fm satellite Frequencies and Doppler
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 3:50 PM, Clint Bradford clintbradford@mac.com wrote:
... go to AMSAT's sat status page ...
Personally, I prefer to get folks in the habit of checking the actual control team pages for the various FM birds. That leaves any "middlemen" and third=party Web site editing delays out of the equation.
I mean, what better info is there than that published by those who actually control the satellites?
I too am a beginner and wondered about how to calculate doppler and/or determine a rough estimation based on pass information (elevation/az, etc.). I tend to start about 10 kHz up on any given pass which seems to be a reasonable approximation for most of the birds so far (I started this way because I followed the AO-27 FAQ).
My biggest challenge is finding the signal while adjusting for doppler. Once I get it though, I'm good for the rest of the pass! :-)
-aps _______________________________________________ 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
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 5:25 PM, Zachary Beougher zack.kd8ksn@hotmail.com wrote:
Alexandar,
I am not sure how you have it programmed into the radio so far, but I would program 5 memory frequencies into your HT:
(AO27)
436.805 (AOS) 436.800 436.795 (TCA - Time Of Closest Approach) 436.790 436.785 (LOS)
Since AO27 switches off way before LOS, you will probably never need the last frequency - 436.785 - but these would be the common frequency steps for a typical bird like AO51, SO50, etc. Don't be afraid to make adjustments either. I find that to hear the 30 sec. of TLM right before AO27 switches to VOX I have to be at 436.810. This is probably more a feature of the radio itself. If you are having trouble hear at AOS or LOS, try adjusting your downlink by 5kHz.
You can also add alpha-numeric tags to your frequencies to keep them in order:
AO27-1 AO27-2 AO27-TCA AO27-4 AO27-5
There are many different variations you can choose from.
Let me tell you what I have been doing:
I have programmed my TH-D72A with the TCA as a base. I switch to it then move it to my VFO (F+VFO). When the bird is going to approach, I instantly go up 10Khz and work from there. Its actually ridiculously easy to just switch down via the tuning knob (so programming above doesn't really buy you much). Typically depending on the bird's doppler, I wound up finding the signal a bit lower than 10khz up (its not like my AL-800 instantly picks up the signal at 5 degree elevation) but when it does, I'm good for the remainder of the pass.
The AO-51 FAQ page spells it out very nicely. Knowing the polar chart in your head for the pass is very helpful. It allows you to gracefully move with the signal as the satellite passes over you.
My biggest issue right now is knowing when to call out. The flurry of folks calling CQ on each pass where I live (FN20) makes it very hard to either a) not step on anyone and b) even find a window to get in. I will keep trying though (maybe when the weather gets a bit better on the East Coast).
73
-aps
Actually, I just use the VFO on my D7A as well. ;-)
As far as stepping on someone, it is going to happen on a single channel satellite, just make sure it is not deliberate. Listen, if no one is calling or in the middle of a QSO, jump in! Don't be afraid to throw your call out.
Another thing that you should definitely consider - full duplex. In case you don't know what this is, full duplex is simultaneously listening to the downlink WHILE transmitting. This prevents a lot of useless QRM. When you call, you can not only tell if you are stepping on someone, but you can hear how good/bad your uplink signal is, and you can be sure that you are getting through and not just getting stepped on. You are even ahead of the game - the TH-D72A has this feature! All you need to do is learn how to use it. You may, however, want to try a few more passes before diving into full duplex. Full duplex will not do you any good if you have trouble hearing or tracking the birds.
73!
Zack KD8KSN
-----Original Message----- From: Alexander Sack Sent: Monday, May 16, 2011 5:45 PM To: Zachary Beougher Cc: Clint Bradford ; Clint Bradford ; amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Fm satellite Frequencies and Doppler
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 5:25 PM, Zachary Beougher zack.kd8ksn@hotmail.com wrote:
Alexandar,
I am not sure how you have it programmed into the radio so far, but I would program 5 memory frequencies into your HT:
(AO27)
436.805 (AOS) 436.800 436.795 (TCA - Time Of Closest Approach) 436.790 436.785 (LOS)
Since AO27 switches off way before LOS, you will probably never need the last frequency - 436.785 - but these would be the common frequency steps for a typical bird like AO51, SO50, etc. Don't be afraid to make adjustments either. I find that to hear the 30 sec. of TLM right before AO27 switches to VOX I have to be at 436.810. This is probably more a feature of the radio itself. If you are having trouble hear at AOS or LOS, try adjusting your downlink by 5kHz.
You can also add alpha-numeric tags to your frequencies to keep them in order:
AO27-1 AO27-2 AO27-TCA AO27-4 AO27-5
There are many different variations you can choose from.
Let me tell you what I have been doing:
I have programmed my TH-D72A with the TCA as a base. I switch to it then move it to my VFO (F+VFO). When the bird is going to approach, I instantly go up 10Khz and work from there. Its actually ridiculously easy to just switch down via the tuning knob (so programming above doesn't really buy you much). Typically depending on the bird's doppler, I wound up finding the signal a bit lower than 10khz up (its not like my AL-800 instantly picks up the signal at 5 degree elevation) but when it does, I'm good for the remainder of the pass.
The AO-51 FAQ page spells it out very nicely. Knowing the polar chart in your head for the pass is very helpful. It allows you to gracefully move with the signal as the satellite passes over you.
My biggest issue right now is knowing when to call out. The flurry of folks calling CQ on each pass where I live (FN20) makes it very hard to either a) not step on anyone and b) even find a window to get in. I will keep trying though (maybe when the weather gets a bit better on the East Coast).
73
-aps
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 6:51 PM, Zachary Beougher zack.kd8ksn@hotmail.com wrote:
Actually, I just use the VFO on my D7A as well. ;-)
As far as stepping on someone, it is going to happen on a single channel satellite, just make sure it is not deliberate. Listen, if no one is calling or in the middle of a QSO, jump in! Don't be afraid to throw your call out.
Definitely. I am try to be as polite as possible, that's all I say.
Another thing that you should definitely consider - full duplex. In case you don't know what this is, full duplex is simultaneously listening to the d
Zack of course I'm on full duplex! But I need to get my headset/mic to really make use of it. Right now when I key up I put the volume down low to try to not QRM the repeater with an open squelch. I think tomorrow I should receive my headset and I should be good to go.
Again, thanks for all the tips,
-aps
On Mon, 2011-05-16 at 17:25 -0400, Zachary Beougher wrote:
Since AO27 switches off way before LOS, you will probably never need the last frequency - 436.785 - but these would be the common frequency steps for
Is AO-27 even on over the UK? Every time I've checked the schedule page, it's only been on for passes over the US.
Gordon MM0YEQ
Hi Gordon,
It is sometimes, although it is quite rare. Usually when tracking North over central Europe and usually off within 6 or 7 minutes of AOS.
73
Pete
2i0VAX
On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 10:57 PM, Gordon JC Pearce gordonjcp@gjcp.net wrote:
On Mon, 2011-05-16 at 17:25 -0400, Zachary Beougher wrote:
Since AO27 switches off way before LOS, you will probably never need the last frequency - 436.785 - but these would be the common frequency steps for
Is AO-27 even on over the UK? Every time I've checked the schedule page, it's only been on for passes over the US.
Gordon MM0YEQ
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
participants (6)
-
Alexander Sack -
Clint Bradford -
Clint Bradford -
Gordon JC Pearce -
P.H. -
Zachary Beougher