Issue with AO-27 this afternoon?

[N9SOX]

Hi all,

I noticed during an afternoon pass of AO-27 today that people we complaining of a "strong carrier" blocking entry to the Bird. I couldn't get in to save my life and AO-27 is usually an easy one. So I guess my question is, what is this "carrier" that people are talking about?

It would seem to me that it's a strong signal being picked up on the uplink and unless you have more power than the carrier, you're not getting in. Someone "jamming" the Bird possibly?:eek:

Thanks in advance for filling me in on what might be the cause of this.

Ryan / KB9RID

[K0BAM]

Jammers and the like have discovered satellites.

[KD8KSN]

Hi all,

I noticed during an afternoon pass of AO-27 today that people we complaining of a "strong carrier" blocking entry to the Bird. I couldn't get in to save my life and AO-27 is usually an easy one. So I guess my question is, what is this "carrier" that people are talking about?

It would seem to me that it's a strong signal being picked up on the uplink and unless you have more power than the carrier, you're not getting in. Someone "jamming" the Bird possibly?:eek:

Thanks in advance for filling me in on what might be the cause of this.

Ryan / KB9RID

Ryan - AJ5C posted an email on the Amsat -BB today asking the same question you did - http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat-bb/48hour/threads.html (it is all the way at the bottom titled 'AO27'... you will see a response from me also). I would keep an eye on this the next few days and see if someone posts an answer to this - I think that is probably your best bet. I know I was not overly pleased with the carrier today - I didn't even get to pull off one QSO.:( I know that AO27 has a lot of interference from Spanish simplex stations getting into the input, but the carrier isn't Spanish.

Completely off topic, but thanks Ryan for posting your pix on your QRZ page - you gave me an idea for when I get my second HT back from the repair shop and start working full-duplex.

[N9SOX]

Thanks Zach for giving me a heads up to the post on Amsat's BB. I'll keep an eye on it and see what's posted. Now that you mention it, I did hear some Spanish Stations on AO-27 today. Must have been the Simplex Stations you were talking about. It was intermittent so I agree it shouldn't have been from them.

Hey, no problem on the picture post in the Bio. I'd like to see what you come up with when you get your radio back from the shop.

[KD8KSN]

Carrier on AO27 was not nearly as bad this afternoon at 1911z....

[WA9SVD]

Hi all,

I noticed during an afternoon pass of AO-27 today that people we complaining of a "strong carrier" blocking entry to the Bird. I couldn't get in to save my life and AO-27 is usually an easy one. So I guess my question is, what is this "carrier" that people are talking about?

It would seem to me that it's a strong signal being picked up on the uplink and unless you have more power than the carrier, you're not getting in. Someone "jamming" the Bird possibly?:eek:

Thanks in advance for filling me in on what might be the cause of this.

Ryan / KB9RID

Due to the nature of "capture effect" on FM receivers, ONLY the strongest signal on a frequency will be recognized; weaker signals will not be "heard." If that strongest signal is a carrier, it is either a "lid" or obnoxious and deliberate, intentional interference. If it's accidental, it's still... well, unforgivable, poor operating practice, and apparently illegal transmission of an unidentified signal.