Re: [amsat-bb] First attempt at FO-29

[Jim Walls <k6ccc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dave Barrows wrote:

> I attempted to work FO-29 for the first time today.  I didn't work anyone, but I did hear my signal in the downlink, so there is hope.

Congrats for hearing youself and other stations on the satellite.  Being able to hear stuff is the first thing to get working, and FO-29 has a very hot receiver so it's pretty easy to get into.

> I took my FT-726 10 watt rig out to a card table  in my back yard.  I brought out a lawn chair, a telegraph key, microphone, and my arrow antenna.
>
> I could hear other signals through the satelite just fine.  I found my signal by tapping the key and tuning around.  I also found how to change my transmit frequency while listening, but sometimes I got lost.  All this time, the Arrow antenna was held by a piece of 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe.

You would do well to get the antenna on a tripod or something like that as it frees up one had at least most of the time.  This is more of an issue for the SSB birds where you are having to track doppler shift all the time.  That does however make it harder to rotate for polorization
changes.

> I decided to try aiming the Arrow antenna with my left hand, tuning with my right hand, and tapping the key with my forearm until I found my signal in the downlink again and then went to sending short CQs with my right hand.

You will hear a lot more activity on SSB than CW.

> Although I was disappointed that I had not made contact, I was encouraged that I could get through the satelite with my minimally equipped station.

I wish you the best, and I will be on as many of the FO-20 and FO-29 passes over this long weekend as my schedule allows.  Hope to hear and talk to you.

73
-----------------------
Jim Walls - K6CCC
k6ccc@amsat.org
http://home.earthlink.net/~k6ccc/
626-302-8515    FAX  626-302-9999
AMSAT member 32537 / WSWSS member 395


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