At this point, unless one is going to use a separate radio for transmit and receive, the only new HT i can recommend is the Kenwood TH-D7A[G]. Right now, it's the only rig which can still operate in full-duplex. Full-duplex operation is essential in mode J-FM or you are likely to either cause QRM or waste valuable satellite transponder time.
To test a radio for full duplex operation, make sure you bring headphones when you test a radio. Listen to a weather service station on one band (with headphones) and transmit briefly on 446.0 MHz (or other suitable UHF channel). If the weather service broadcast is uninterrupted while you transmit, then you have a radio suitable for mode J-FM. This should be helpful in evaluating a used HT.
If you're going to use two radios, then the TH-F6A is a decent choice. I found it to be adequately sensitive if i gave it a good antenna, and with an unmodified downconverter, i used it as the receive side to work AO-40. With an antenna similar in gain to an Arrow satellite antenna, i've also heard FO-29, AO-7 and VO-52 well enough to work people given a suitable up-link radio. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)
...the only new HT I can recommend is the Kenwood TH-D7A[G]...which can still operate in full-duplex [which] is essential in mode J-FM [satellites].
Sort of related: I am using my D7 in SkyCommand remote control of my TS-2000 as a remote base and making it useble to everyone in the club. This way, everyone with a D7 or D700 in the local area, can be in SkyCOmmand mode and see on their radio front panel, what the remote-base TS-2000 is doing.
See http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/USNAremoteHF.html
It is working great in this "Group Operations" mode, except for one thing. I simply cannot get it to remotely change bands. If anyone on the AMSAT-BB has played with SkyCOmmand and has some answers, I welcome them. Here is what I have learned so far in this Groups Operations Mode:
* Does the VHF link ever time out? [Yes, after 10 min) * What does #1 ON/OFF command do? (I see no change.) * Can others share the TS2000? [Yes! Use CMDR call!} * Can we chat on UHF for coord? [YES, w different PL] * Can all D7/700's see HF freq? [yes!] * what is safe TS2000 VHF TX pwr? [5w is mildly warm] * How to remotely band change? ????? <=my main prob * How to delete char in callsign? [CLEAR key on TS2000] * What about PATH? [must be direct]
In otherwords, multiple D7 HT's and Mobile D700's in SkyCommand mode can all see the front panel of what they are hearing on the VHF audio link. Coordination of who transmitts is a separate issue, but I am addressing that with some additional APRS packets to display who is commanding at any one time.
Sorry for the dual post, since I have asked this question on the APRSSIG too for over a week, but it appears that none of the thousands of D700 users there has ever seemed to have used SkyCommand either, or run across this problem.
Bob, WB4APR
Can you use the TS-2000 in satellite mode and use it for satellite contacts?
Eric W4OTN
Robert Bruninga wrote:
...the only new HT I can recommend is the Kenwood TH-D7A[G]...which can still operate in full-duplex [which] is essential in mode J-FM [satellites].
Sort of related: I am using my D7 in SkyCommand remote control of my TS-2000 as a remote base and making it useble to everyone in the club. This way, everyone with a D7 or D700 in the local area, can be in SkyCOmmand mode and see on their radio front panel, what the remote-base TS-2000 is doing.
See http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/USNAremoteHF.html
It is working great in this "Group Operations" mode, except for one thing. I simply cannot get it to remotely change bands. If anyone on the AMSAT-BB has played with SkyCOmmand and has some answers, I welcome them. Here is what I have learned so far in this Groups Operations Mode:
- Does the VHF link ever time out? [Yes, after 10 min)
- What does #1 ON/OFF command do? (I see no change.)
- Can others share the TS2000? [Yes! Use CMDR call!}
- Can we chat on UHF for coord? [YES, w different PL]
- Can all D7/700's see HF freq? [yes!]
- what is safe TS2000 VHF TX pwr? [5w is mildly warm]
- How to remotely band change? ????? <=my main prob
- How to delete char in callsign? [CLEAR key on TS2000]
- What about PATH? [must be direct]
In otherwords, multiple D7 HT's and Mobile D700's in SkyCommand mode can all see the front panel of what they are hearing on the VHF audio link. Coordination of who transmitts is a separate issue, but I am addressing that with some additional APRS packets to display who is commanding at any one time.
Sorry for the dual post, since I have asked this question on the APRSSIG too for over a week, but it appears that none of the thousands of D700 users there has ever seemed to have used SkyCommand either, or run across this problem.
Bob, WB4APR
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participants (3)
-
Eric Christensen -
John Mock KD6PAG -
Robert Bruninga