[amsat-bb] AO-51 L/S Report for 1-2 Sept

[Charles Suckling <charlie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Made 6 QSOs here during three passes: OK2AQK, IK2CFR, DG2BCA, 2E1EUB, 
CT1EAT and VE3NPC.  The window to Clare was only about 2 minutes duration, 
and the elevation here was ~1.5 to 1.0 deg.

Signals were generally very good on the 16 turn homebrew helix -> 0.5dB NF 
preamp -> 7dB cable loss -> WDG040 downconverter system.  At low elevations 
there was noticeable fading on the downlink signal, and during the day I 
replaced the 16 turn helix with a 75cm dish with patch feed.  This gave 
considerably better signals at extreme range, although the fading was still 
evident.

Uplink equipment was 50W in the shack -> ~3dB cable loss -> 16 turn 
homebrew helix.  RX and TX tuning was automated with 
InstantTrak/InstantTune using "mic-button" interfaces to the 2 radios.

There was some evidence of radar QRM on the uplink when the uplinks were 
either too weak or off-frequency, but signals sounded clean when the uplink 
was solid.

Operating L/S is certainly busy and I was glad to have part of the system 
automated!  Great fun and looking forwards to more if possible!

73

Charlie G3WDG
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