1. Certainly

2. I disagree that 5 watts to an Arrow is "not enough for an analog sat" as I've never run more than that and have over 1,600 QSOs in the log over the past year and a half on the linear transponder satellites (including many at elevations of 5-7 degrees to Europe and elsewhere), but you are right that it likely isn't enough to control a big DX pileup.

3. A split is good, but difficult to implement when you are relying on hearing your own signal.

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Wed, Feb 11, 2015 at 10:09 AM, RSoifer1@aol.com wrote:

Paul,

As I see it, at least three things would help the next satellite DXpedition

1. As you said, the DX operator should get familiar with satellite

operating before going on the big DXpedition.

2. The DXpedition needs a strong signal to be heard clearly. 5W to an

Arrow produces maybe 25 W peak EIRP on 145 MHz, and if SSB then no more than 5-10 W average. That's not enough for an analog sat, especially if there are a lot of callers.

3. The practice of DX stations operating "split" is well established on HF

but is virtually nonexistent at VHF/UHF, where simplex operation is the norm. Many satellite ops have little or no HF DXing experience. They need to learn.

Hope this helps.

73 Ray W2RS _______________________________________________ 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://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb