Re: [amsat-bb] D7 & Sats

[Gerald Schmitt <KK5YY@xxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 21 Jul 2002 23:58:12 -0500, you wrote:

>I didn't seem my msg bounce so I'll try it again. Can someone tell a couple
>of things?
>
>1.) How do I use the D7 on working sateliites?
>2.) Does anybody know where can I get 2 connectors?
>  a. SMA male to BNC female
>  b. SMA male to PL-259 or UHF female?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Ben Ramler, K0BLR
>en25uo
>
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>To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo@amsat.org

Radio Shack has the SMA male to BNC female don't go to UHF use a 
piece of cable with BNC male to UHF for stress relief.

That said on to the D7 for satellites. Interestingly the THD-7 is one 
of only two radios in current production that will do full satellite 
duplex the other is the new Yaesu VX-7. Both are more complex than
the old FT-530 or FT-51 Yaesu HTs but will function. 

To use the D7 set up the two VFOs for the appropriate frequencies.
I use 435.080 as a starting point on UHF receive for UO-14. Make sure
the UHF steps are set to 5KHz default is 25KHz. 

I have not found a way to set the memories in the D7 to two different 
bands so this is a VFO operation. To transmit the VHF channel must be
the active channel but to step the UHF frequencies on receive you have
to change to UHF as the active channel. I use the HM-34 with the 
three programmable buttons set to change bands and step up or down.
That way I can do it all from the mike. 

On the THD-7 you have a feature not found elsewhere you can choose
full duplex (hearing your own transmission) only dual (not hearing 
yourself). This can be an advantage to hear yourself you really need
and earphone. If you use a speaker mike or no mike at all you will 
cause feed back on the satellite--remember assembly in school?
Dual only is called for in this circumstance. With an earphone 
headphone or such you can go to duplex and hear yourself--a
nice option. 

My setup on the D7 is as follows:
VHF 5KHz steps
UHF 5KHz steps
Audio balance fully to the UHF side.
UHF squelch fully open.

I have a cheap pair of head phones thank you Delta
with the connector cut off and a 2.5mm connector installed.
I like this better than using an adapter

I hang the radio on my belt and use the HM-34 and head
phones. I have a custom built duplexer with an SMA 
connector so do not use an adapter on the radio.

The real trick to the FM satellites to hear them first. 
Make sure your Keplerian elements are fresh and listen 
as it comes over the event horizon. When you are hearing 
other contact being make toss in your call. We tend to 
be less formal than the weak signal folks because of
the limited time the bird is available. Have fun.

I hope this helps you email me if you have further 
questions.
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