Easy Satellites

[n7wsb]

I bought that Arrow Antenna Kit - basically a split 2m and 70cm beam with a foam grip and a duplexor in the handle - mostly because of a short ad in the back of an AES catalog they sent me.

Its actually a lot of fun making contacts on some of the fm satellites floating around the earth - ao27, uo14 and so41. And late at night you can actually do so me rag-chewing when there are fewer people on there.

What I found was amazing - I can get into most of these birds full quieting at almost any angle (just above 5 deg) with my 2.5 watt Yaesu FT-51R - and its reciever seems wide enough to adjust for almost any doppler shift.

So anyhoo - if you have strong wrists, and a love for experimental radio get on the air - its easier then you think. Plus its a great tool to interest prospective hams and inactive hams.

[Gene475]

If you want to talk about how easy it is to do satellites I've hit a few with my Alinco DJV5 HT at 5W and a mag mount antenna on my car. It's not the best signal, but I was amazed at how easy it was and that someone could actually hear me with such simple equipment.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What I found was amazing - I can get into most of these birds full quieting at almost any angle (just above 5 deg) with my 2.5 watt Yaesu FT-51R - and its reciever seems wide enough to adjust for almost any doppler shift.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

I too owned a Yaesu FT-51R once. I made many contacts via the OU-14, AO-27, (now dead)SUNSAT-35. That radio is amazing with its true telephone style twin receiver. I was sorry that I sold that radio. My standard setup for that radio is the Diamond YH-77 ducky. Man .... that antenna was hot, if I can hear the bird, I can get into it.

I missed my FT51R. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[n0xu]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n7wsb @ April 10 2002,23:28)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">...if you have strong wrists....[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
Here's what I do to mitigate the strain on the wrist: I threw a line over a tree branch about 15 feet above my head and use it to support the weight of the antenna. All I have to do is guide it into the correct azimuth and elevation...

73 de N0XU drew

[N7DJK]

I use My Kenwood TH-79A & Yaesu FT-817 for Oscar 14.
My Antenna on both radios is just an ANLI AL-800 telescoping whip with 5 watts. The TH-79A is full duplex & works well with external mike. The FT-817 does have a better frequency range & spacing for dopler effect. The Manual for FT-817 has setup for Oscar 14. The web site for satilite info whic I think is the best and makes it easy is (heavens-above.com).
Dave N7DJK

[K9ROD]

I recently started working the Fm "Birds". So far I've made over a 100 contacts, have 26 confirmed states toward my WAS, and I'm having a blast. I use a Kenwood TM-V7a mobile and a 5/8 wave dual band antenna in my truck.
I found that if I drive down the road to the nearest clearing, I receive the signals a lot better. However, a couple of Deputies recently visted me after having been called out 6 or 7 times on a supicious vehicle. When I explain what I was doing, the young deputy found it quite amazing that I could talk all over the US.
So, if you haven't tried a satellite you are missing out on lots of fun! 73's Rod K9ROD

[kb5tuu]

Is ther a list of these birds? This make me want to try them out http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ! I am also a very happy ft51r owner.

Thanks

[K9SKY]

KB5TUU:

If you have access to the internet, link to http://www.heavens-above.com. This web site will provide a list of all amateur satellites, frequencies and specific times they will pass over your QTH.

Bob

[n7wsb]

Another good place is just http://www.amsat.org/amsat/news/wsr.html - current workable satellites with a regular FM transciever are AO-27 (daylight only), UO-14, and SO-41 (a newer bird). There all mode J (2m up 70cm down).

I've found the only thing you need to worry about doppler wise is the reciever - I guess the reciever on the satellite has a suffiecently wide filter. I've never had to mess with the transmit at least.

If you use a FT-51 I found a nifty feature that allows me to use satellites (or any split mode) a lot better - read up on the "sub ops" key next to the PTT key - it allows me to adjust the reciever, talk and recieve without switching back and forth between bands.
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (kb5tuu @ April 19 2002,08:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Is ther a list of these birds? This make me want to try them out http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ! I am also a very happy ft51r owner.

Thanks[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[KC9AMZ]

Boy, that Arrow Antenna would be really slick if it had a wrist brace on the handle. #It would be similar to the wrist brace found on a wrist rocket or slingshot. #That way the weight shifts to your forearm and off those tiny muscles in your wrist.

Now, just where did I leave my arc welder???

[m3pth]

Hey guys how do i get into to all this satalite stuff it sounds so intresting please can someone tell me what i need and wht to do and where to do it please http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[n7wsb]

I use it with a Yaesu FT-51 (no longer in production), and an Arrow handheld beam antenna.

Here's a good faq on how to use it actually - http://www.amsat.org/amsat/intro/ao27faq.html - this covers uo-14 and ao-27 and how to use it.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (m3pth @ April 21 2002,16:0)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hey guys how do i get into to all this satalite stuff it sounds so intresting please can someone tell me what i need and wht to do #and where to do it #please <!--emo&:)[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>

[ke0vh]

Getting on the LEO (low earth orbit) is indeed really easy. #I am using an Alinco DJ 580 with the Arrow antenna an it works great. #I use headphones and the speaker mike with the radio clipped to the window of my Neon. #Have worked all over the US, Canada, and Mexico. #It amazes me with the power of an HT and the Arrow that I can work UO-14 and AO-27 (I haven't been on SO-41 yet) with the satellites in orbit over Illinois and work someone way up the NE coast or Newfoundland from Colorado. #You can see a picture of my satellite mobile at www.geocities.com/ke0vh. #Lots of great guys on too to answer questions. #When my friend Rich, W9BNO (www.geocities.com/w9bno) went to visit his mom in Illinois, we used the sats to keep in touch. #Try them out, it is really fun! #And, when you come on as a new call, everybody wants to work you! #And, for tracking the sats, I have an old tracksat dos program that works well, and you also can check out J Track at http://liftoff.msfc.nasa.gov/RealTime/JTrack/ for real time tracking on the net. #I have found too that if I go to this site, even over a dialup, then disconnect and leave the webpage running, it will continue to run. #Very accurately too. #Check them out!
73' de KE0VH

[k0kn]

The Ham satellites are very fun! I have been working uo14, so-41 and rs-13 lately.

Another fun thing to do is make contacts via packet through the International Space Station (ISS). Visit Amsat.org for frequencies, tracking software, etc. Occasionally astronauts / cosmonauts will make voice contacts as well!
Amsat North America (http://amsat.org)

I use an old 1200 baud packet TNC and any PC with a dumb terminal program. No APRS software is needed.
If your packet signal is digipeated through ISS, it will appear on this web site (instructions for operation also detailed here):
Stations heard via ISS (http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/ariss/index.cgi)

Hope to see you on the birds! 73,

Kyle Yoksh, K0KN

[k0kn]

Another fun satellite to work is RS-12 / RS-13... These
two satellites are actually together in one box, but the transponders operate separately. This satellite requires a little more effort than some, but it is a great bird!

Keep in mind that the FM mode is prohibited on this bird, only CW and SSB are allowed.

One of the major benefits to using weak signal modes (CW/SSB) is that many QSOs can take place on the bird at the same time.

#One helpful hint: It is very important to use headphones while operating satellite. Failing to use headphones will result in nasty feedback!

Keep in mind that an Advanced or Amateur Extra class license is required to uplink into RS 12 or RS13!

To work RS-12, you'll need:
10 meter transceiver/receiver & 15 meter transmitter #(usually requires separate units). You must be able to operate full duplex- that is, listen while you transmit.

To work RS-13, you'll need:
15 meter transmitter and 2 meter all-mode receiver. I use an old Icom IC-245 transceiver (for the downlink) that I purchased inexpensively, and despite being 30 years old, it works quite well.

I am currently active on RS-13, and would like to talk to you!

For more information, including uplink/downlink frequencies, visit Amsat at:

Amsat NA (http://amsat.org)

You may also send me an email, I'll be happy to share what I know about the ham satellites!

# # # # # # # # #73,

# # # # # # # # # Kyle Yoksh, K0KN