I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the linear sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF
I should have stated which equipment I have - that would make answering my question easier. :-)
I have a Kenwood TS2000X (purchased new in 2007, llight usage, and the ceramic filters were replaced a few years ago). Yaesu G5500 az-el rotor, and LVB tracker. Also M^2 2M-440XP-SS (in storage. but would only take about 10 minutes to hook-up).
(I'm doing a separate post about another antenna system, since I have a separate question about that, so as not to cram too much info into one post).
Thanks for the replies so far
Philip N4HF
On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 1:14 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the linear sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF
Hi Philip,
I would recommend FO29 since it has a wide passband, a good downlink signal, and is in mode J so the doppler shift is less on it. Very easy to use satellite. Call CQ near the center of the passband and I am sure you will make some QSOs. It is also a little higher up than some of the newer satellites so it has a larger footprint of stations to work.
AO73 and the Chinese satellites have great downlink signals, but being in Mode B, they doppler shift is much greater so you have to tune your uplink signal much more often.
Remember that all of these linear satellites are inverting, so you want to transmit on LSB so you can receive on USB.
73 John AF5CC
On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 12:47 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I should have stated which equipment I have - that would make answering my question easier. :-)
I have a Kenwood TS2000X (purchased new in 2007, llight usage, and the ceramic filters were replaced a few years ago). Yaesu G5500 az-el rotor, and LVB tracker. Also M^2 2M-440XP-SS (in storage. but would only take about 10 minutes to hook-up).
(I'm doing a separate post about another antenna system, since I have a separate question about that, so as not to cram too much info into one post).
Thanks for the replies so far
Philip N4HF
On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 1:14 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the
linear
sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Philip,
Several of them are very rewarding and rather easy once you are accustomed to linear birds. FO-29 would be my recommendation for "easiest" in terms of consistent behavior and high likelihood of successful contacts. "Easy" includes finding several or more good operators on most passes.
Daryl K4RGK
On May 18, 2016, at 1:14 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the linear sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I'm starting up again after many years. I worked through AO-6 and the RS birds when I was DA1BB. my understanding of postings is that once I select the 2-m and 70cm FM frequencies, and the bird begins AOS I key in a tone to open the link, then change the tone to use when transmitting. Am I understanding protocols OK? I can hears many passes using my Yaesu FT-8800, an automatic switching preamp for both bands, and a set of M2 helicals for each band. Any advice is appreciated.
73 Dave N4CVX, ex-DA1BB, ex-VP2EHF
Sent from my iPad
On May 18, 2016, at 12:52, Daryl - K4RGK k4rgk@arrl.net wrote:
Hi Philip,
Several of them are very rewarding and rather easy once you are accustomed to linear birds. FO-29 would be my recommendation for "easiest" in terms of consistent behavior and high likelihood of successful contacts. "Easy" includes finding several or more good operators on most passes.
Daryl K4RGK
On May 18, 2016, at 1:14 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the linear sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi, Dave!
Welcome back.
You have it right. But. Most of the time the link is already active on SO-50. Usually you only need to send the 67 Hz PL tone when transmitting on SO-50.
The other 74.4 Hz PL tone activates a 10-minute timer. Usually, someone else has done that.
73!
-- bag
Bryan KL7CN/W6
On May 18, 2016, at 11:27, Comcast cwo4mann@comcast.net wrote:
I'm starting up again after many years. I worked through AO-6 and the RS birds when I was DA1BB. my understanding of postings is that once I select the 2-m and 70cm FM frequencies, and the bird begins AOS I key in a tone to open the link, then change the tone to use when transmitting. Am I understanding protocols OK? I can hears many passes using my Yaesu FT-8800, an automatic switching preamp for both bands, and a set of M2 helicals for each band. Any advice is appreciated.
73 Dave N4CVX, ex-DA1BB, ex-VP2EHF
Sent from my iPad
On May 18, 2016, at 12:52, Daryl - K4RGK k4rgk@arrl.net wrote:
Hi Philip,
Several of them are very rewarding and rather easy once you are accustomed to linear birds. FO-29 would be my recommendation for "easiest" in terms of consistent behavior and high likelihood of successful contacts. "Easy" includes finding several or more good operators on most passes.
Daryl K4RGK
On May 18, 2016, at 1:14 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the linear sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Thanks for info. Very helpful. See you all soon.
73 Dave
Sent from my iPhone
On May 18, 2016, at 14:48, Bryan KL7CN bryan@kl7cn.net wrote:
Hi, Dave!
Welcome back.
You have it right. But. Most of the time the link is already active on SO-50. Usually you only need to send the 67 Hz PL tone when transmitting on SO-50.
The other 74.4 Hz PL tone activates a 10-minute timer. Usually, someone else has done that.
73!
-- bag
Bryan KL7CN/W6
On May 18, 2016, at 11:27, Comcast cwo4mann@comcast.net wrote:
I'm starting up again after many years. I worked through AO-6 and the RS birds when I was DA1BB. my understanding of postings is that once I select the 2-m and 70cm FM frequencies, and the bird begins AOS I key in a tone to open the link, then change the tone to use when transmitting. Am I understanding protocols OK? I can hears many passes using my Yaesu FT-8800, an automatic switching preamp for both bands, and a set of M2 helicals for each band. Any advice is appreciated.
73 Dave N4CVX, ex-DA1BB, ex-VP2EHF
Sent from my iPad
On May 18, 2016, at 12:52, Daryl - K4RGK k4rgk@arrl.net wrote:
Hi Philip,
Several of them are very rewarding and rather easy once you are accustomed to linear birds. FO-29 would be my recommendation for "easiest" in terms of consistent behavior and high likelihood of successful contacts. "Easy" includes finding several or more good operators on most passes.
Daryl K4RGK
On May 18, 2016, at 1:14 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the linear sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Thanks to all who replied to me, both on the BB and privately
Philip N4HF
On Wed, May 18, 2016 at 4:13 PM, Dave Mann cwo4mann@comcast.net wrote:
Thanks for info. Very helpful. See you all soon.
73 Dave
Sent from my iPhone
On May 18, 2016, at 14:48, Bryan KL7CN bryan@kl7cn.net wrote:
Hi, Dave!
Welcome back.
You have it right. But. Most of the time the link is already active on
SO-50. Usually you only need to send the 67 Hz PL tone when transmitting on SO-50.
The other 74.4 Hz PL tone activates a 10-minute timer. Usually, someone
else has done that.
73!
-- bag
Bryan KL7CN/W6
On May 18, 2016, at 11:27, Comcast cwo4mann@comcast.net wrote:
I'm starting up again after many years. I worked through AO-6 and the
RS birds when I was DA1BB. my understanding of postings is that once I select the 2-m and 70cm FM frequencies, and the bird begins AOS I key in a tone to open the link, then change the tone to use when transmitting. Am I understanding protocols OK? I can hears many passes using my Yaesu FT-8800, an automatic switching preamp for both bands, and a set of M2 helicals for each band. Any advice is appreciated.
73 Dave N4CVX, ex-DA1BB, ex-VP2EHF
Sent from my iPad
On May 18, 2016, at 12:52, Daryl - K4RGK k4rgk@arrl.net wrote:
Hi Philip,
Several of them are very rewarding and rather easy once you are
accustomed to linear birds.
FO-29 would be my recommendation for "easiest" in terms of consistent
behavior and high likelihood of successful contacts. "Easy" includes finding several or more good operators on most passes.
Daryl K4RGK
On May 18, 2016, at 1:14 PM, Philip Jenkins n4hf.philip@gmail.com
wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the
linear
sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views
of AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
Opinions expressed
are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
AMSAT-NA.
Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!
Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
While most of the activity in North America is on FO-29, there are also people working the morning and evening XW-2's, and weekend AO-73's regularly. You might try listening to the evening XW-2A and XW-2C passes. Don't expect much late at night on AO-73. It's usually quiet on the weekdays.
I highly recommend listening for each satellite's beacon as you familiarize yourself with the linear birds. It will be a fair indicator of how strong the signals should be.
73 Clayton W5PFG
On 5/18/2016 12:14, Philip Jenkins wrote:
I know the first/easiest path to sat communications is on the FM birds (which I agree with), but when someone is ready to "graduate" to the linear sats, which would be the best/easiest one to start with?
Philip N4HF _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (7)
-
Bryan KL7CN -
Clayton W5PFG -
Comcast -
Daryl - K4RGK -
Dave Mann
-
John Geiger -
Philip Jenkins