Hi Ron: These antenna options are both fixed RHCP:

Directive Systems Helix (single in Radome) 14.5dBic (approx. 12.3dB) https://directivesystems.com/1200-mhz/23-cm-1250-1300-mhz/dseh23-12/ Wimo Antennan & Electronik GmBH 23-4 Helix P/N 18027 16dB https://www.wimo.com/helix-antennas_e.html

I have read that L-band AO-92 required loss budget (from this reflector input) is 100w Effective Radiated Power (ERP) departing your transmit system. I believe there was a post on this email reflector from University of Iowa (or similar) hams who operated band L.

My experience level: I have not operated band L (just read about current happenings).

Dave KJ9I

On 10/8/18, 9:42 AM, "AMSAT-BB on behalf of Ronald G. Parsons" <amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org on behalf of w5rkn@w5rkn.com> wrote:

What antennas are being used for AO-92 23cm? Is polarization changing a problem. How much uplink power is required?

Ron W5RKN _______________________________________________ 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

Ron,

There has been a wide variety of antennas used for AO-92's 1.2 GHz uplink. Some are using a 16-element Comet CYA-1216E sold in various ham stores:

http://www.cometantenna.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CYA-1216E-inst-sheet....

Others have gone with Yagis from China via eBay. The 10-element Yagi has been popular:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2GHz-12DBi-GSM-Yagi-Directional-Antenna-1200MHz-N...

There is also a smaller 5-element Yagi available on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2GHz-Stainless-Steel-5-Elements-CCTV-Wireless-tra... ?

Some are using other larger Yagis, and K5ND has used a 23cm helix:

https://www.k5nd.net/2018/04/satellite-qso-l-band-ao-92/

If you want to build a Yagi, there are WA5VJB designs for smaller (4 to 10 elements):

http://www.n5dux.com/ham/files/pdf/D-STAR%20Antennas.pdf

Or for something larger:

http://wa5vjb.com/references/LBand-Yagis-for-AMSAT.pdf

Most of the time on the L/V passes, I'm using a 5-element Comet CY-1205 Yagi sitting on top of my Alinco DJ-G7T. Between the 1W from the HT and this Yagi, which was sold in the late 1980s and into the 1990s, I have done OK with AO-92 L/V. I have also used the 10-element Yagi from eBay with my DJ-G7T.

As for power, for those using HTs like the DJ-G7T or an older HT like the Icom IC-T81A, the power level is 1W. With a mobile radio or the larger satellite-ready transceivers, 10W. There may be some who have more than 10W going out to the antennas on 1.2 GHz.

A good discussion about working AO-92's L/V mode has been taking place on a thread in QRZ's satellite forum. Once you get through the first part of the thread, you can see this discussion, along with pictures.

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/wheres-ao-92.614536/

73!

Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/ Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK

On Mon, Oct 8, 2018 at 2:42 PM Ronald G. Parsons w5rkn@w5rkn.com wrote:

What antennas are being used for AO-92 23cm? Is polarization changing a problem. How much uplink power is required?

Ron W5RKN