Re: [amsat-bb] New guy to the list

["Howard Long" <howard@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Scott

First, let me give you a warm welcome!

Here's some ideas, starting with the cheapest way to get going on the
sats...

With an FM satellite like UO14, AO27 and SO35 there's many documented cases
where you can work through it with a dual band dual receive handie and a
dual band antenna (preferably not the rubber duck, but a 19" dual band
whip). Much better is the Arrow satellite antenna. You're also probably
better off if you can get a 5W battery pack too. A separate microphone's
also helpful so you can twist the rig about to get the best signal without
being a contortionist...

One of the big advantages of using an HT is that you have the ability to
turn the antenna in all axes and polarization in order to get the best
signal. I've done this on a Kenwood TH-D7 and an Arrow antenna. I haven't
attempted it with a whip, although I've seen it done.

You should note that AO27 and SO35 have schedules when they're either
switched off or in digital mode rather than analog 'bent pipe' mode, where
you receive on one band and transmit on another. Note that the HT _must_ be
capable of being able to receive on one band whilst transmitting on the
other (or duplex). A rig which does 'dual receive' will normally do this.
That way you can hear your downlink and have some way of knowing you're not
talking to yourself.

Operating's another issue. These bent pipe sats are pretty busy though, so
you have to be patient. The golden rule is to **listen** first. If you can't
hear the sat already you're not going to be able to work it. I spend at
least 95% of the time listening. Pop in between overs with your callsign.
It's a bit of a fight out there on the FM sats.

Note that you also need to be aware of doppler shift. Seasoned HT operators
have their rig's  memories programmed with frequencies +/- 10kHz on 70cm and
+/- 5kHz on 2m in 5kHz increments in order to receive/transmit on frequency.
You start high at the start of the pass and gradually go lower as the
satellite passes over.

You'll also need to be able to predict the passes of the sat. Software is
available. Resources such as software and schedules are available via
www.amsat.org via FTP and the news bulletins. I use Nova, which will print
out a schedule amongst other things when operating portable.

In the middle of the price range, you could get yourself a pair of second
hand single band multimode radios; or alternatively a 2m multimode, an HF
rig and then a 70cm down converter.

At the other end of the price spectrum you could go all the way and get a
fancy rig like the FT847... but that's a whole different ballgame! That's
the way I started out, and have been accused of being a 'silver spooner'!
Yes, it does  makes things easier in the long run, and allows you to work
more satellites, but your bank account suffers massively. Then you might
want to get a preamp for you downlink. And some high gain antennas... and a
rotor.. and a linear... before you know it that second hand $1500 'do
everything' radio just cost you $3000.

Hope this helps!

73 and Good Luck, Howard G6LVB


----- Original Message -----
From: "BOWEN, SCOTT M. (JSC-CC)" <scott.m.bowen1@jsc.nasa.gov>
To: "'amsat-bb@amsat.org'" <amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org>
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2000 5:44 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] New guy to the list


>
>
> I just wanted to say Hello and let you know who I am.
>
> I am a new HAM, just getting my Tech No-code and I am very interested in
> getting into the satellite side of amateur radio.
> I live on the Northwest side of Houston TX.
>
> I have yet to buy a radio, as I am not sure what I need. Can someone give
me
> some idea's on where to start on a budget?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Scott Bowen
> KD5KZN
>
> ----
> Via the amsat-bb mailing list at AMSAT.ORG courtesy of AMSAT-NA.
> To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo@amsat.org
>

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