RE: [amsat-bb] Working LEO Satellites

[Tony Langdon <tlangdon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I have been reading a few messages about working Low Earth Orbit
> satellites, and the comments about UO-14 are correct even down under.

We d have the advantage of very low traffic density though... :-)  I have
been able to have a ragchew on UO-14, or even been the only station on the
bird!!! (a lonely way to spend 15 minutes on a cold night ;) ).

> UO-14 is used regularly by about  4  ZL stations and is well 
> patronized
> by several VK stations that I have regular contact with. Many of these
> stations have had similar problems with their downlinks. But 
> after some
> tuition they have had great success on UO-14.

I have been a but quiet of late, but the end of daylight saving time should
help me to get on more (it's not so late).

> The biggest confusion has been that stations chase both the uplink and
> downlink frequency when they only need to follow the doppler on the
> downlink.
> STAY on 145.975 FM uplink and then listen when it first comes over the
> horizon at  435.080 FM. The squelch needs to be almost open but not
> quite so that when you are able to make contact the squelch 
> will open on
> its own. The squelch will close again when your downlink is lost.
> This will last for about a minute or maybe two, and then you will need
> to change frequency to 435.075 then to 435.070 then 435.065 and then
> 435.060 and finally 435.055.
> I can assure you that 95% of the time you are making it into the
> satellite but its your downlink that is the problem.

I run open squelch and listen for the slight quieting.  That way, you don't
lose the downlink as readily.

> I have several ham friends in VK land that use 500mw and max 5W on HTs
> and using this method have no problems making contact on 
> UO-14 for most
> of the path..

I can go 250mW and have done this a few times...

> Another hint is to point the tip of your HT antenna at the 
> ground as you
> follow the satellites path at about a 35° to 45° angle or over your
> shoulder. DO NOT POINT  THE TIP AT SATELLITE.

This does work.  Seems a ground reflection can occur, which increases the
signal condiderably.
> 
> Try it I'm sure you will have a lot more success and maybe 
> more interest
> in LEO sats if they go FM.

That's the way in more sparsely populated areas like VK/ZL...  I think
you'll find that EU and US are somewhat different... :)

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