Hi,
I would like to know if I'm dreaming, but will it be possible for me to use these two satellites with my pair of FT-817 running on SatPC32??
Am I asking too much for my 5W only radios ?? I'm using 2 Eggbeater antenna from M²... EB-144 and EB432 with AR² preamps on both antennas feed with heliax.
73
Jean-Francois,
You are not asking too much. I have operated on ALL of the CW/SSB satellites using two FT-817NDs and SatPC 32. However, I also use a directional -albeit small - antenna. Specifically, I use the Elk 2M/440L5 dual-band log periodic.
But, I do not have the antenna mounted outside. My shack, such as it is, is on the second floor of my home. I routinely operate on all of the CW/SSB satellites by hand-holding the Elk inside my home and manually tracking the satellites.
In your case, with the eggbeaters, I will suggest that you should expect consistent operations using two FT-817NDs only at higher (my rough guess is 20 degrees elevation or higher) of the two satellites. You likely will be more effecitve on VO-52 because it performs so well. One evening here, when I was troubleshooting an issue with my station, I was able to hear myself on the VO-52 downlink with a strong and clear signal - and I had mounted to Yaesu "duck" antenna to my FT-817ND transmit radio! VO-52 will prove to be fun for you, I believe.
FO-29 also will be fun, but your station may not prove quite so effective on it. My best suggestion is to try! I believe you will be very pleasantly surprised.
FYI - when it is in Mode B, you also should be able to work Grand Old AO-7. My experience with my handheld Elk antenna, operating totally indoors, is that I need roughly 20 degree of elevation with 5 watts out to hear myself on the AO-7 downlink. You may need slightly higher elevation.
I hope this is helpful, and I hope to hear you on these satellite very soon!
73,
Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga., USA - EM84ha -------------- Original message from Jean-François Ménard jf.va2ss@gmail.com: --------------
Hi,
I would like to know if I'm dreaming, but will it be possible for me to use these two satellites with my pair of FT-817 running on SatPC32??
Am I asking too much for my 5W only radios ?? I'm using 2 Eggbeater antenna from M²... EB-144 and EB432 with AR² preamps on both antennas feed with heliax.
73
-- Jean-François Ménard VA2SS
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= AMSAT www.amsat.org / Member #37102 ARRL www.arrl.org =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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
Hello Jean-Francois,
I have worked VO-52 with omni antennas and an FT-817
on SSB with no problem at all. FO-29 should work too as long
as there are no high-power stations pumping the satellite AGC.
73,
Tony AA2TX
---
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jean-François Ménard" jf.va2ss@gmail.com To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, August 4, 2009 8:53:17 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern Subject: [amsat-bb] FO-29 and VO-52
Hi,
I would like to know if I'm dreaming, but will it be possible for me to use these two satellites with my pair of FT-817 running on SatPC32??
Am I asking too much for my 5W only radios ?? I'm using 2 Eggbeater antenna from M²... EB-144 and EB432 with AR² preamps on both antennas feed with heliax.
73
participants (3)
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aa2tx＠comcast.net -
Jean-François Ménard -
n3tl＠bellsouth.net