I've been interested attempting to work thru this satellite for several days beginning 1/31 without much luck. One each occasion I've not heard the beacon at all nor heard any other qso's. I've used the amsat path predictions and online tracking so I'm sure I'm listening at the correct times. I'm using a colinear vertical about 20' up at the QTH, so I think I've got enough antenna to at least hear the satellite. Does anyone here know it the software update is still in process? Is the satellite not in operation now?
Bill KI6DJ
Hi Bill,
With a vertical, you are going to have a low angle of radiation, so you will probably only hear the satellite on the horizon. Maybe others on the reflector can say more about this.
73s John W5TD
--- Bill Goff b-goff@sbcglobal.net wrote:
I've been interested attempting to work thru this satellite for several days beginning 1/31 without much luck. One each occasion I've not heard the beacon at all nor heard any other qso's. I've used the amsat path predictions and online tracking so I'm sure I'm listening at the correct times. I'm using a colinear vertical about 20' up at the QTH, so I think I've got enough antenna to at least hear the satellite. Does anyone here know it the software update is still in process? Is the satellite not in operation now?
Bill KI6DJ _______________________________________________ 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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I think the antenna or maybe the feedline is probably the issue. A collinear antenna has a very focused pattern on the horizon and deep nulls overhead. The length and loss characteristics of the feedline may also have much to do with the situation. Omnis are tough on UHF downlinks, especially without a mast mounted preamp and a low loss feedline.
An approach more likely to result in you hearing the satellite may be to try listening with an HT with a long whip antenna, a mobile with a 1/4 wave whip, or any radio with a short beam antenna. Look for the highest overhead pass you can find when the satellite is closest for the best chance of success. Remember to unsquelch your receiver as well.
The software update is still in process, but the repeater has been active. There is not much to hear on the digital/beacon side without a TNC, as the data sounds much like noise to the ear, plus the downlink is weaker. I would stick to the repeater downlink on 435.300 tuning 10 kHz high at the beginning of the pass through 10 kHz low at the end, and right on .300 for the middle of the pass.
Feel free to email me at ko4ma@amsat.org with any other questions. Maybe we can work through an equipment list of what you have available and come up with a configuration most likely to succeed.
73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations AMSAT LM 2332
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Goff" b-goff@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 12:51 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 status
I've been interested attempting to work thru this satellite for several days beginning 1/31 without much luck. One each occasion I've not heard the beacon at all nor heard any other qso's. I've used the amsat path predictions and online tracking so I'm sure I'm listening at the correct times. I'm using a colinear vertical about 20' up at the QTH, so I think I've got enough antenna to at least hear the satellite. Does anyone here know it the software update is still in process? Is the satellite not in operation now?
Bill KI6DJ _______________________________________________ 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
AO-51 copied here during the 18.50 - 19.04UTC UK visible pass using a 2m/70cm colinear at 30ft, no pre-amp.
Signal quite weak but copyable. One station calling CQ without reply.
David G8OQW
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Glasbrenner Sent: 06 February 2007 19:19 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org; Bill Goff Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 status
I think the antenna or maybe the feedline is probably the issue. A collinear
antenna has a very focused pattern on the horizon and deep nulls overhead. The length and loss characteristics of the feedline may also have much to do
with the situation. Omnis are tough on UHF downlinks, especially without a mast mounted preamp and a low loss feedline.
An approach more likely to result in you hearing the satellite may be to try
listening with an HT with a long whip antenna, a mobile with a 1/4 wave whip, or any radio with a short beam antenna. Look for the highest overhead pass you can find when the satellite is closest for the best chance of success. Remember to unsquelch your receiver as well.
The software update is still in process, but the repeater has been active. There is not much to hear on the digital/beacon side without a TNC, as the data sounds much like noise to the ear, plus the downlink is weaker. I would
stick to the repeater downlink on 435.300 tuning 10 kHz high at the beginning of the pass through 10 kHz low at the end, and right on .300 for the middle of the pass.
Feel free to email me at ko4ma@amsat.org with any other questions. Maybe we can work through an equipment list of what you have available and come up with a configuration most likely to succeed.
73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations AMSAT LM 2332
----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill Goff" b-goff@sbcglobal.net To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 12:51 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 status
I've been interested attempting to work thru this satellite for several days beginning 1/31 without much luck. One each occasion I've not heard the beacon at all nor heard any other qso's. I've used the amsat path predictions and online tracking so I'm sure I'm listening at the correct times. I'm using a colinear vertical about 20' up at the QTH, so I think I've got enough antenna to at least hear the satellite. Does anyone here know it the software update is still in process? Is the satellite not in operation now?
Bill KI6DJ _______________________________________________ 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
_______________________________________________ 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 (4)
-
Andrew Glasbrenner -
Bill Goff -
David Barber -
John Geiger