On Jun 28, 2009, at 4:16 PM, Jean-François Ménard wrote:

Hi,

I would like to know if there is much difference using a preamp for satellite receiving using a M2 Eggbeater antenna ?

I'll add a thought here that I haven't seen anyone reply about. As everyone mentioned, definitely go with a preamp - but think for the future. How much transmitter output power do you have? If you have relatively low power, say 5 watts, you can get an inexpensive preamp. However, if you plan to use higher power in the future, perhaps for meteor scatter; that low power preamp may no longer be useful.

And also, is there much difference between a heliax 0.5" and a RG-8 on a 50 feet cable run between the antenna and the radio ?

Again, you've received several responses, but one thing hasn't been mentioned. What is your output power? If you have an HT with a couple of watts, that RG-8 may 'eat up' a lot of your power, especially if you are going to transmit on 440 Mhz. Without knowing how much power you have, and which birds you plan to use, it's difficult to give you a good answer.

I would really like to optimize my receiving quality but I also want to know where to put all my effort first.

"you can't work 'em if you can't hear them"; also don't forget that you need to hear yourself FIRST. Work on hearing your downlink if possible before you start to call other stations. If you can't hear yourself, then post about it so we can help you out. I think it would be helpful if you told us which type(s) of rig(s) you will be using.

I'm new and I cannot invest much money the first year.

When you find a fellow ham who has all the money that's necessary to build a perfect station, please let me know!

Thank to all for your advice.

73

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Jean-François Ménard VA2SS

73 de W4AS Sebastian