View Full Version : Sattelite Users
Has the practice of listening to your signal on the downlink get forgotten? I've decided to pick up the satellite bug again, and listening to the FM birds, it sure sounds like a different animal than it was just a few years ago. I never used to hear folks calling that wouldn't respond to those calling them back, IE, I bet they can't hear the satellite. It seems that people aren't adjusting their transmit frequency for Doppler shift, they sound pretty bad. Also, I'm hearing a lot of folks that keep transmitting even when their signal isn't the one captured, just causing a bunch of QRM for everyone else.
OK, I'm just complaining, I don't know weather to look forward to or dread using one in a higher orbit.
73
Joe
NE3R
I was just fooling around with the satellite features on my TS2000 but don't know where to look for up/downlink frequencies. Is there a website out there like "Amateur Satellite for Dummies" ?
I know practically nothing about it but would love to listen in to hear what it's about.
Tnx
Joe, I'm not sure if it is the changing technology ( integrated transceivers, vs. individual Tx Rx units etc. ) or not, but I do know that many things have changed in ham radio operations, and NOT for the better. Your experience with the satellite uplink/downlink frequencies is mirrored by my experience with SSTV operation on the HF bands, and I dare say probably by many DXers and Contesters that are overwhelmed by the sensless operators apparently thinking that "power" is more important than "good operating practices", and that brute force will accomplish more results than prudent techniques and being an "A1Operator" ( are there any more of those, any more ? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif )
It is sad, but I'm afraid that it isn't going to get any better until someone with some authority hits a few of these LIDS over the head with some common sense, and/or heavy fines or legal action.
73, good luck. Jim
WA9SVD
07-06-2007, 08:19 PM
Try:
www.amsat.org
For the latest info on AMateur satellites, and
www.heavens-above.com
For lots more info and satellite pass times. the more closely you can input your LAT/LON, the better the predictions will be. (You can find LAT/LON for your mailing address by looking up your callsign here on QRZ. It may be a slight bit off (GPS would be better) but it's close enough for our purposes. After all, it's not rocket science... Never mind. Actually, it IS.
You can also download a number of programs to calculate pass predictions yourself; Google "STS Plus" for the program of the same name by Dave Ransom. It's shareware, but the "donation" is voluntary (depends upon your conscience) and the program will still run even if you don't send in any $. The program is used for a number of projects and demonstrations at JPL.
But Joe, the problems you cite are now cpmmon, and not just on the satellites. Even in DX pileups, you hear "operators" who call and call, but it's obvious they aren't even hearing the DX station, because they will keep calling when the DX is talking to someone else; sometimes they don't even respond when the DX calls them! But they keep calling anyway.
The sats are difficult to use many times, there a few "big gun" operators that will use an FM bird for a private rag chew every pass, all pass long, and with their power, they tie up the bird so no one else can use it. And unfortunately, on the FM birds, he who "yells the loudest" is the only one that gets to use the satellite.
Good luck, and we all have to make the best of it. I just wish we had a few more satellites to use!
Or a few more courtious operators ! ! ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
ka5piu
07-07-2007, 02:08 AM
Hello.
A part of the trouble is that most newer dual band radios will not do cross band duplex.
You are transmitting or receiving, and that makes it a bit of a challange sometimes.
My first satellite contact was lidsville, I did everything wrong!
Now I know how to do it, but I did have to learn.
That's what I referred to in my first post. But dog gone it, you would think that the designers and builders of these rigs would understand that you have to hear how you are coming through a "repeater" that is constantly changing in frequency ( doppler effect, we all know ) and displays a capture effect like any other FM repeater. Of course, that still wouldn't eliminate the "alligator station" syndrome that seems to be taking over the ham bands in general. But it WOULD go a long ways toward alleviating some of the other problems, wouldn't it ? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif
73, Jim
I guess there isn't much equipment out there that can do cross band full duplex these days, at least not handhelds. The Yaesu FT-8800R works fine, along with the Kenwood TS-2000 and Icom IC-910h, but that is about it for rigs I've actually used to make satellite QSOs, I figure a few of the higher end dual band mobile rigs can still do it. I heard somewhere that the TH-D7AG from Kenwood can do cross band full duplex, anyone know if this is correct? It is too bad the the IC-W32A replacement, the IC-91A didn't include the feature.
"I'm not a bad operator, I just don't use the right equipment." The perfect equipment.
73
Joe
NE3R
n5rfx
07-07-2007, 04:06 PM
Use 2 rigs, one for TX and one for RX.
73,
Mark N5RFX
Quote[/b] (n5rfx @ July 07 2007,09:06)]Use 2 rigs, one for TX and one for RX.
That is how I learned, not quite as smooth as an FT-847 or IC-W32A but I'd say it would be better than using a radio that doesn't support full duplex.