On 17 Aug 2009 at 2:37, w7lrd@comcast.net wrote:

Hello

I worked the last three passes of AO-51.  I am observing some very deep fades during the pass.  Some at fairly high elevations.  Rx conditions are a three foot primestar dish, 5 1/2 turn helix feed, 3731AA transystem down converter, forty feet of RG-6 to a TS700A rcvr.  Signals will peak at close to +15-20db, then fade to S2-4, which is about my noise level, then rise again to +15-20.  I would be interested to know if anyone else experiences this, I do have some trees that can cause some variable conditions.  Your mileage may vary.  There are only a few on the bird, we can actually have a conversation!

73 Bob W7LRD

Seattle

Hi Bob

I was on my last morning pass and i was able to copy the S downlink quite steady from AOS to about 15 deg near LOS as my roof top was blocking the signal. I know what you are speaking about i work a lot to find an antenna who will not have theses fades. I ended up with a WI-FI linear yagi antenna from Cushcraft model PC2415N.

I have their spec flyer i send it to you in another message. I try a BBQ grill, Patch antenna, and a WI-MAX antenna before and they are all showing a lot of deep fades

"-"

Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE