I've heard a CW beacon a couple of times operating on or around 435.300. Unfortunately I dont have exact times from my QTH, but I cant find anything in the satellite list on AMSAT's site that has a working beacon on this frequency (or anywhere close). I heard it about 23:45Z, breaking the squelch (on FM) while waiting for the next AO-51 pass. This will put it about 10-15 mins before AOS for AO-51 from my QTH in EN90rw. Pardon me if there is an obvious answer to this, but I'm not familiar with all the ham birds up there yet.
Just trying to figure out what I could be hearing? This is not the first time I've heard CW on this freq.
Michael Heim ARS KD0AR
It's RS-30, aka Yubileiny, on 435.315 and 435.215. Apparently there are no two-way packages onboard, unfortunately. It's also unfortunate that the builders didn't coordinate their downlinks with the IARU, and they ended up so close to the AO-51 downlink.
73, Drew KO4MA
----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Heim" kd0ar@sbcglobal.net To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2008 8:25 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] apparent beacon on 435.300
I've heard a CW beacon a couple of times operating on or around 435.300. Unfortunately I dont have exact times from my QTH, but I cant find anything in the satellite list on AMSAT's site that has a working beacon on this frequency (or anywhere close). I heard it about 23:45Z, breaking the squelch (on FM) while waiting for the next AO-51 pass. This will put it about 10-15 mins before AOS for AO-51 from my QTH in EN90rw. Pardon me if there is an obvious answer to this, but I'm not familiar with all the ham birds up there yet.
Just trying to figure out what I could be hearing? This is not the first time I've heard CW on this freq.
Michael Heim ARS KD0AR _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hello all!
Looking at ideas for all mode transceivers for working analog sats.
I haven't ruled out two individual radios, actually see a lot of benefit.
Need to be able to control Doppler on up and downlinks. It appears SatPC will do that.
Does anyone have a favorite setup that works?
73 de Tim, K4SHF
(no Amsat number, just signed up again)
Hi Tim,
I suggest a used FT-847 single radio as it has the best computer support for the satellite side - you can easily set the uplink / downlink mode whereas with the TS-2000 you have to flip control between uplink and downlink before setting the mode. Not a big deal though. TS-2000 has a nasty birdie which gets in the way of SO-50 (I think).
I have a TS-2000 which I own and a FT-847 on loan.
SatPC (maybe) and some other Windows software controls two radios - if you go this route then IMO you have the best flexibility. I don't know what radio I would suggest - I'm a fan of the IC-703, for satellites the IC-7000 is also an option. Sadly the Yaesu FT-8x7 can't update the frequency via the computer while it's transmitting.
Anyway - starting from scratch - look for a used FT-847, be ready to buy a pair of external SSB Electronics pre-amplifiers.
Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com
----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Tapio" tim@timtapio.com
Looking at ideas for all mode transceivers for working analog sats.
I haven't ruled out two individual radios, actually see a lot of benefit.
Need to be able to control Doppler on up and downlinks. It appears SatPC will do that.
For just using the FM repeater sats (AO-51, SO-50) a radio such as IC-7000 is OK *but* it does get very warm just on receive. You can receive everything with the IC-7000.
Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com
----- Original Message ----- From: "Simon (HB9DRV)" simon@hb9drv.ch
Anyway - starting from scratch - look for a used FT-847, be ready to buy a pair of external SSB Electronics pre-amplifiers.
Hey Tim,
Welcome back! I'm very new to the satellites, having been totally off the air for more than 15 years. I'm having more fun than I ever had in ham radio just using a handheld station (HT with an Arrow antenna or an AL800 whip) to work the three Mode-J FM satellites (AO-27, AO-51 and SO-50). They have me excited to get on the other satellites in orbit, and I'm take the two-radio approach you mentioned. I'll be using a Yaesu FT-857D for transmit and an FT-718ND for receive. Yaesu's printed receiver specs for the radios are pretty much identical for VHF/UHF, and I expect to use the 817 for some QRP work on HF, which I enjoy very much.
I agree with Simon about preamps. My friend Rick, WA4SVM, has an SSB preamp, and he swears by it. That will be my next purchase because I've learned very quickly with the handheld station that optimizing reception is much more important than pumping watts into space.
Best of luck with your station. I hope to hear you in orbit soon!
73,
Tim - N3TL Athens, Ga. -------------- Original message from "Tim Tapio" tim@timtapio.com: --------------
Hello all!
Looking at ideas for all mode transceivers for working analog sats.
I haven't ruled out two individual radios, actually see a lot of benefit.
Need to be able to control Doppler on up and downlinks. It appears SatPC will do that.
Does anyone have a favorite setup that works?
73 de Tim, K4SHF
(no Amsat number, just signed up again)
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Tim,
Welcome back to another Amateur mode! Tim, N3TL is absolutely right a sensitive receiver and preamp is the correct method for getting the most out of Satellite activity. I did quite a bit of research on preamps and the SSB, SP-7000 was highly recommended by WA4SVM and many other experienced operators. I was really pleased how it pulled out the weak LEO signals, it made the station come alive! It is important to use the best low loss cable available, especially if your using a long run. Tim, have fun and look forward to hearing you on the birds!
73, Pete, WB2OQQ
I could be wrong (I hope not) but the FT-8x7 is not suitable for TX as you can't adjust the TX frequency while transmitting. The IC-7000 is OK in this respect, so maybe a IC-7000 / FT-817 combo? Otherwise I would suggest a IC-703 + transverter?
Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com
----- Original Message ----- From: n3tl@bellsouth.net
I'll be using a Yaesu FT-857D for transmit and an FT-718ND for receive.
Unless you are exceptionally long winded, not adjusting the frequency during transmit really isn't an issue. The 897 and 817 will work just fine, with or without computer control.
73, Drew KO4MA
----- Original Message ----- From: "Simon (HB9DRV)" simon@hb9drv.ch To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:06 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Radio setups
I could be wrong (I hope not) but the FT-8x7 is not suitable for TX as you can't adjust the TX frequency while transmitting. The IC-7000 is OK in this respect, so maybe a IC-7000 / FT-817 combo? Otherwise I would suggest a IC-703 + transverter?
Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com
----- Original Message ----- From: n3tl@bellsouth.net
I'll be using a Yaesu FT-857D for transmit and an FT-718ND for receive.
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Not on a linear transponder!
Simon Brown, HB9DRV www.ham-radio-deluxe.com
----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" glasbrenner@mindspring.com
Unless you are exceptionally long winded, not adjusting the frequency during transmit really isn't an issue. The 897 and 817 will work just fine, with or without computer control.
At 10:12 AM 8/31/2008, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
Unless you are exceptionally long winded, not adjusting the frequency during transmit really isn't an issue. The 897 and 817 will work just fine, with or without computer control.
...
I could be wrong (I hope not) but the FT-8x7 is not suitable for TX as you can't adjust the TX frequency while transmitting
...
I'll be using a Yaesu FT-857D for transmit and an FT-718ND for receive.
Dear Friends,
I will second Drew's comment and would also note that the now ancient InstantTune could run a single FT-817 (or FT857) by adjusting the TX VFO while receiving so you could dispense with the second radio.
This is not the best since you can't tell how well you are getting into the satellite but it is much simpler when you want to run mobile or portable operation.
I do not know if one of the current programs will do this but it isn't hard to implement.
73, Tony AA2TX
Hi Simon!
I could be wrong (I hope not) but the FT-8x7 is not suitable for TX as you can't adjust the TX frequency while transmitting. The IC-7000 is OK in this respect, so maybe a IC-7000 / FT-817 combo? Otherwise I would suggest a IC-703 + transverter?
I am currently using a pair of FT-817NDs for my all-mode satellite station. I do not have these radios under computer control yet, so I try to comply with the "rule" of making frequency adjustments on the higher frequency. I can, and regularly do, change my transmit frequency while transmitting on these 817s. Very nice! I don't know if that is possible with computer control, but the "big" knob on the front will do that.
Once I get a better (smaller, longer battery life) laptop, I plan on getting the cables and putting both of these radios under computer control. I have followed your HRD program development, and saw it in use with a friend's satellite station a few months ago. It would be very nice. I also need to add other non-computer components to this portable setup to make my life (and those hearing me on the SSB birds) a little easier: tripod for the Yagi instead of holding it with one hand while working the mic/CW paddle/radios with the other hand, preamp to help with AO-7 and DO-64 passes that are not above 30-40 degrees elevation (I can hear the downlink OK on higher DO-64 passes), and maybe a headset/mic so I'm not holding the mic while on the birds.
73 from the desert!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/
On Aug 31, 2008, at 12:44 PM, Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) wrote:
I can, and regularly do, change my transmit frequency while transmitting on these 817s. Very nice! I don't know if that is possible with computer control, but the "big" knob on the front will do that.
One of the nice features of the old FT-780R is the switch on the back of the rig that allows one to activate a "SAT" mode which allows one to switch between having the transmitter changing frequency during transmit and having it locked during transmit. This is a nice feature; one gets the best of both worlds. I would think this would be easy to implement in software with today's modern radios. - Duffey
-- KK6MC James Duffey Cedar Crest NM
participants (9)
-
Andrew Glasbrenner -
Anthony Monteiro -
James Duffey -
Michael Heim -
n3tl＠bellsouth.net -
Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) -
Peter -
Simon (HB9DRV) -
Tim Tapio