I have a set of M2 loops antennas for 2 meters & 70cm and from reading their website they state that they are good LEO antennas. So I was wondering what the consensus is from anyone that has tried them.
I understand that they won't be as good as a CP beam setup on a az/el rotator, but since I have nothing up as of yet hoping they will at least let me get started, was also hoping to use them for a mobile satellite setup as well...
Jacob Tennant - K8JWT
Jacob Tennant wrote:
I have a set of M2 loops antennas for 2 meters & 70cm and from reading their website they state that they are good LEO antennas. So I was wondering what the consensus is from anyone that has tried them.
I understand that they won't be as good as a CP beam setup on a az/el rotator, but since I have nothing up as of yet hoping they will at least let me get started, was also hoping to use them for a mobile satellite setup as well...
Jacob, They will work, but understand that you will be dealing with a VERY WEAK signal. In my opinion, not the best for a starter antenna. An experienced operator who knows what they are getting into, and is willing (or desiring) the extra challenge can do fine with them. I have used a set of those loops for mobile operations, but I also have thousands of satellite QSOs in my log, and I know what I can and cannot do with them.
Personally I just use my Arrow II hand held yagi and my Yaesu VX-7R for working satellites. Its a little challenging doing this without a tripod, but if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun.
~73, KC2WQW
On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 10:55 PM, Jim Walls jim@k6ccc.org wrote:
Jacob Tennant wrote:
I have a set of M2 loops antennas for 2 meters & 70cm and from reading
their website they state that they are good LEO antennas. So I was wondering what the consensus is from anyone that has tried them.
I understand that they won't be as good as a CP beam setup on a az/el
rotator, but since I have nothing up as of yet hoping they will at least let me get started, was also hoping to use them for a mobile satellite setup as well...
Jacob, They will work, but understand that you will be dealing with a VERY WEAK signal. In my opinion, not the best for a starter antenna. An experienced operator who knows what they are getting into, and is willing (or desiring) the extra challenge can do fine with them. I have used a set of those loops for mobile operations, but I also have thousands of satellite QSOs in my log, and I know what I can and cannot do with them.
-- 73
Jim Walls - K6CCC jim@k6ccc.org Ofc: 818-548-4804 http://home.earthlink.net/~k6ccc http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ek6ccc AMSAT Member 32537 - WSWSS Member 395
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
Ron,
I really like your message, "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun". All to often some satellite operators build taller and bigger having unrealistic expectations and stop smiling after a pass. I've been helping a club member who has been a ham over 40 years, he was timid about what it took to make a satellite contact. I put an Arrow in his hands, taught him about frequency steps for Doppler, and how to use his wrist during a pass. A week later, John how did go, well haven't had the chance excuse. John, look I will pick a pass for you 40 degrees, just listen, he did and the smile started. The next day, he had three confirmed QSO's, would of had more but his pencil broke in the excitement, digital tape next, his smile is not going away! keeping it simple and remembering "if it was too easy it wouldn't be as much fun, thank you Ron.
73's Pete WB2OQQ www.massapequanyweather.com
On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:
Ron,
I really like your message, "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".
Thinking along those lines
Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view. I saw on here (I think) that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current schedule. I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof. I also have a 2m/70cms pre-amp near the antenna. On a pass yesterday morning, I could hear AO-51 reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I dropped my call-sign into a small gap. 4 contacts later (and one on the next pass), I'm still smiling.
Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF. Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA. Any pointers for a simple to construct antenna?
Regards de John EI7IG
On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:
Ron,
I really like your message, "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".
Thinking along those lines
Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view. I saw on here (I think) that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current schedule. I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof. I also have a 2m/70cms pre-amp near the antenna. On a pass yesterday morning, I could hear AO-51 reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I dropped my call-sign into a small gap. 4 contacts later (and one on the next pass), I'm still smiling.
Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF. Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA. Any pointers for a simple to construct antenna?
Regards de John EI7IG
On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:
Ron,
I really like your message, "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".
Thinking along those lines
Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view. I saw on here (I think) that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current schedule. I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof. I also have a 2m/70cms pre-amp near the antenna. On a pass yesterday morning, I could hear AO-51 reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I dropped my call-sign into a small gap. 4 contacts later (and one on the next pass), I'm still smiling.
Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF. Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA. Any pointers for a simple to construct antenna?
Regards de John EI7IG
I'll have to reiterate what others have said about having great luck using my Arrow II and a camera tripod. It works great.
Thanks, Josh Smith KD8HRX email/jabber: juicewvu@gmail.com phone: 304.237.9369(c)
On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 9:03 AM, John Ronan jpronans@gmail.com wrote:
On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:
Ron,
I really like your message, "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".
Thinking along those lines
Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view. I saw on here (I think) that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current schedule. I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof. I also have a 2m/70cms pre-amp near the antenna. On a pass yesterday morning, I could hear AO-51 reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I dropped my call-sign into a small gap. 4 contacts later (and one on the next pass), I'm still smiling.
Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF. Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA. Any pointers for a simple to construct antenna?
Regards de John EI7IG _______________________________________________ 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
participants (6)
-
Jacob Tennant -
Jim Walls -
John Ronan -
Josh Smith -
Peter Portanova -
Ron Overdrive