Hi all,
been copying AO-51 on L/S mode very nicely over the past few days. My setup is a hand-held linearly polarized (yes, you need rotate it to follow the S/C spin) W-LAN patch antenna with a California Microwave downconverter feeding an FRG-9600 modified to feed DC to the D/C. Excellent signals, absolutely no interference, always enjoying the spectacular L band uplinks for various European stations, especially OZ1MY, whom has an exceptionally solid uplink :-)
Mostly been listening to eastern and overhead passes, simply because I can sit on my veranda steps, sip coffee and twiddle the knobs & antenna ;-)
Really cannot wait for the next L/S session; this mode is a very impressive demo mode for experienced hams that have no idea what satellites can do for you, not to speak of our future generation of hams...
73's Michael, OH2AUE
Hi Michael and amsat-bb There is an explanation to everything. I have used the AO-40 set-up with 40 W on 1268 MHz to 2 19 turn helix antennas, when it was necessary. That accounts to something like an EIRP of 1 kW taking cable loss into account.
Again it confirms Mike, N1JEZ's observations for the L band uplink. Quote: For an occasional contact, 150 watts EIRP. For medium level performance, 500 watts EIRP. For superior performance, 1 kW EIRP or higher.
As Mike also points out, doppler tracking must be correct, PC time must be correct, antenna pointing must be correct and so on.
I use SatPC32 to control the IC-910, which I leave on all the time to avoid temperature drift during warm up periods.
When we get AO-51 in mode-L/U it is time to get the frequency tracking right for the 1268 MHz uplink. The 70 cm downlink is much easier to hear than the 2.4 GHz downlink. That makes it easier to get the frequency right on the L band uplink.
October 2 to October 9 FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, 67 hz PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM FM Repeater, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 MHz, No PL Tone Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM
NOTE: The 435.150 MHz downlink is left hand circular.
Have fun.
73 OZ1MY Ib ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Fletcher" oh2aue@sral.fi To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, September 18, 2006 7:33 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 mode L/S
Hi all,
been copying AO-51 on L/S mode very nicely over the past few days. My setup is a hand-held linearly polarized (yes, you need rotate it to follow the S/C spin) W-LAN patch antenna with a California Microwave downconverter feeding an FRG-9600 modified to feed DC to the D/C. Excellent signals, absolutely no interference, always enjoying the spectacular L band uplinks for various European stations, especially OZ1MY, whom has an exceptionally solid uplink :-)
Mostly been listening to eastern and overhead passes, simply because I can sit on my veranda steps, sip coffee and twiddle the knobs & antenna ;-)
Really cannot wait for the next L/S session; this mode is a very impressive demo mode for experienced hams that have no idea what satellites can do for you, not to speak of our future generation of hams...
73's Michael, OH2AUE
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Michael Fletcher -
OZ1MY