In front of scores of audiences over the years, I have never disappointed audiences and failed to hear SO-50 - without ever using a pre-amp with either my tape measure beam or Arrow Satellite antennas ...

Such handheld ops, as low as 10-15 degrees of elevation, can be worked without a pre-amp.

I'd hate to see you invest in a 440 pre-amp, when the next "big" easily worked project will have a 2M downlink ... (grin)

Clint K6LCS http://www.work-sat.com