On Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:40:39 -0700, "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" amsat-bb@wd9ewk.net wrote:

AO-73's transponder normally operates when the satellite is not in sunlight, and whenever the AO-73 command stations turn the transponder on all the time (usually during the weekends and some holidays).

Perfect, since that's usually the only time I have free time to operate in the first place!

here on the AMSAT-BB list and also on the @FUNcubeUK Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/FUNcubeUK

Followed.

As W5PFG mentioned, this is an easy satellite to work with portable stations. I regularly work it with an FT-817ND for the uplink, and the downlink is handled either with another FT-817ND or my SDRplay SDR receiver with an 8-inch Windows 10 tablet running HDSDR. At times on high passes, I can cut my transmitter power down from 5W to 500mW and still have a readable signal through the transponder. The uplink frequency you use will probably change from pass to pass, which is why the recommendations of using manual control when working this satellite are good. Since this satellite has a sensitive uplink receiver, it shouldn't be hard to line yourself up on the transponder.

I have an old ICOM IC-706 for the uplink, a Yaesu FT-857D for the downlink, and a laptop controlling both via CAT. I'm currently only manually tracking with an Arrow but I figure that will be enough for a start.

Thanks for the tips, will report back when I've made an attempt. 73