Suggestions for Mode L antenna
I am considering purchasing the 1.2 ghz module for my IC-910H. For my satellite work, I have my antennas angled at about 20 degrees since I dont have an az/el rotor. This setup worked reasonably well with Mode S this weekend. What are my chances to be able to work Mode L with this kind of setup ? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for an antenna that I could use. With only 10 watts, I am not expecting a great signal but I would hope to have at least a readable signal. Also, would appreciate any suggestions as to coax/feedline that I should look at buying ?
Thanks,
Ron KA4KYI
Hi Ron,
I've done ok on AO-51 with a homemade helix. See http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th at the bottom of the page. I also have watts in the shack, but a full az/el rotor system. I don't know how sharp the pattern is for the helix, so I don't know how effective a fixed elevation system will be. But from the reports I've received, the 10 watts and my 60' of hardline with about 7 feet of RG-214 at each end seems to be quite adequate.
Good luck,
Greg KO6TH
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Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:49:23 -0500 From: rnutter@networkref.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Suggestions for Mode L antenna
I am considering purchasing the 1.2 ghz module for my IC-910H. For my satellite work, I have my antennas angled at about 20 degrees since I dont have an az/el rotor. This setup worked reasonably well with Mode S this weekend. What are my chances to be able to work Mode L with this kind of setup ? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for an antenna that I could use. With only 10 watts, I am not expecting a great signal but I would hope to have at least a readable signal. Also, would appreciate any suggestions as to coax/feedline that I should look at buying ?
Thanks,
Ron KA4KYI _______________________________________________ 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
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Hi Greg, KO6TH
Your helix for 23 cm seems to be 16 turns RHCP and the gain should be in the order of 16 dBic minimum with half-power beamwidth less then 30° depending on the pitch angle.
The beamwidth is narrow and without a full az/el rotor system you cannot use it for satellite.
I have a similar 15 turns helix RHCP for 70 cm on a full az/el rotor system as well
In a separate email I have sent to you a picture of the above antenna mainly used for AO40
Congrats for your experimental activity.
73" de
i8CVS Domenico
----- Original Message ----- From: "Greg D." ko6th_greg@hotmail.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 9:25 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Suggestions for Mode L antenna
Hi Ron,
I've done ok on AO-51 with a homemade helix. See
http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th at the bottom of the page. I also have watts in the shack, but a full az/el rotor system. I don't know how sharp the pattern is for the helix, so I don't know how effective a fixed elevation system will be. But from the reports I've received, the 10 watts and my 60' of hardline with about 7 feet of RG-214 at each end seems to be quite adequate.
Good luck,
Greg KO6TH
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:49:23 -0500 From: rnutter@networkref.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Suggestions for Mode L antenna
I am considering purchasing the 1.2 ghz module for my IC-910H. For my satellite work, I have my antennas angled at about 20 degrees since I dont have an az/el rotor. This setup worked reasonably well with Mode S this weekend. What are my chances to be able to work Mode L with this kind of setup ? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for an antenna that I could use. With only 10 watts, I am not expecting a great signal but I would hope to have at least a readable signal. Also, would appreciate any suggestions as to coax/feedline that I should look at buying ?
Thanks,
Ron KA4KYI _______________________________________________ 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
Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends.
http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_ skydrive_052008
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
Greg:
Thanks for your option. My antenna building abilities havent been the best, so I am looking at commercially made antennas.
What type of coax/feedline should I use ? I will probably have the run under 50 ft. I would hope I dont have to use hardline as that will probably be very expensive with the price of copper. As I get close to the antenna, should I shift over to a different type of coax/feedline so that I can rotate the antenna to track AO-51 ?
Ron KA4KYI
Greg D. wrote:
Hi Ron,
I've done ok on AO-51 with a homemade helix. See http://home.wavecable.com/~ko6th at the bottom of the page. I also have watts in the shack, but a full az/el rotor system. I don't know how sharp the pattern is for the helix, so I don't know how effective a fixed elevation system will be. But from the reports I've received, the 10 watts and my 60' of hardline with about 7 feet of RG-214 at each end seems to be quite adequate.
Good luck,
Greg KO6TH
Date: Sun, 11 May 2008 20:49:23 -0500 From: rnutter@networkref.com To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Suggestions for Mode L antenna
I am considering purchasing the 1.2 ghz module for my IC-910H. For my satellite work, I have my antennas angled at about 20 degrees since I dont have an az/el rotor. This setup worked reasonably well with Mode S this weekend. What are my chances to be able to work Mode L with this kind of setup ? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions for an antenna that I could use. With only 10 watts, I am not expecting a great signal but I would hope to have at least a readable signal. Also, would appreciate any suggestions as to coax/feedline that I should look at buying ?
Thanks,
Ron KA4KYI _______________________________________________ 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
Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. http://www.windowslive.com/skydrive/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_... _______________________________________________ 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 (3)
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Greg D. -
i8cvs -
Ronald Nutter