Thanks for asking this question Michael, I too have spent the last couple weeks trying to use HRD with my IC9100 and was overcome with frustration that sometimes I would look at the radio and notice that one thing or another was wrong.. (both of them were on USB or whatever). I then began configuring the radio correctly then turning on tracking in HRD so all it had to do was adjust freq.. I would only hear others however if i turned the dial and searched for them.. Yesterday I installed SATPC32 and was surprised how well it worked.
So - here is where I'm stuck.. 1) I'm using the “turnstiled” Moxon rectangles for 2 m and 70 cm with pre-amps. But in this scenario how much power do I need. I'm guessing 10 watts? Anything lower and my IC9100 doesn't appear to have any real output.
2) When I do talk (with appropriate mic gain) I think I hear myself but it's just way over-modulated sounding. Using Heil Pro-set with icom adapter.. Maybe today (field day) with the one FO29 pass I will try with the ICOM microphone.. This will be my first linear bird as well. For Field Day if anyone hears me, I will greatly appreciate a reply - and I will be operating as K5EOK 3A.
3) How do I add the other 'channels' to SATPC32 for FO-29's uplink/downlink.. Looks like it comes with only 435.850 programmed so I need to add .860, .870, .880, .890 and .900 as well as .800 to .840.. but why does it show in CAT tuning as 435850.45 with a downlink of 145952.15.. I would think it would be 850.0 and 950.0??
Thanks, and I apologize for my ignorance and desperation. It's sad that I'm doing a field day demo of how fun satellites are but I can't make a satellite contact to save myself.
- I'm using the “turnstiled” Moxon rectangles for 2 m and 70 cm with pre-amps. But in this scenario how much power do I need. I'm guessing 10 watts? Anything lower and my IC9100 doesn't appear to >have any real output.
10 watts is probably about right.
- When I do talk (with appropriate mic gain) I think I hear myself but it's just way over-modulated sounding. Using Heil Pro-set with icom adapter.. Maybe today (field day) with the one FO29 pass I >will try with the ICOM microphone.. This will be my first linear bird as well. For Field Day if anyone hears me, I will greatly appreciate a reply - and I will be operating as K5EOK 3A.
If operating on FO-29, and the audio isn't clear, you are likely not hearing your return from the satellite, but rather overload and third harmonic from your preamp. This is a common problem on Mode J but easily solved. See http://ww2.amsat.org/?page_id=2136
- How do I add the other 'channels' to SATPC32 for FO-29's uplink/downlink.. Looks like it comes with only 435.850 programmed so I need to add .860, .870, .880, .890 and .900 as well as .800 to .840.. >but why does it show in CAT tuning as 435850.45 with a downlink of 145952.15..
I would think it would be 850.0 and 950.0??
Operation is not channelized on FO-29. Turn the dial on the 9100 and the program should follow you across the passband tuning for Doppler as you go. You still need to calibrate the frequency offset under "CAT" to take in account any variation in your individual radio...
73, Drew KO4MA
participants (2)
-
Andrew Glasbrenner
-
Indiana Jones