What Mode is AO-7 In?

[KD8KSN]

Could anyone tell me how I can tell when AO-7 is supposed to go from mode A to B and vice versa?? Also, is there a certain time it switches (i.e. goes from A to B at 04:00 UTC)? I would like to give mode B a try (only have 2/440 right now), but I do not know when to listen for it.

[N0MIO]

Could anyone tell me how I can tell when AO-7 is supposed to go from mode A to B and vice versa?? Also, is there a certain time it switches (i.e. goes from A to B at 04:00 UTC)? I would like to give mode B a try (only have 2/440 right now), but I do not know when to listen for it.

Sadly There is no way to know which mode it will be in. Due do the fact it is only active in sunlight it's pretty much a guessing game. It does have a 24 hour timer that switches from Mode A to mode B and vice versa but that's also if it in sunlight fir a 24 hour period lol. So just listen to the beacon's and you'll be able to tell if it's in mode A or mode B

[KB1PVH]

Could anyone tell me how I can tell when AO-7 is supposed to go from mode A to B and vice versa?? Also, is there a certain time it switches (i.e. goes from A to B at 04:00 UTC)? I would like to give mode B a try (only have 2/440 right now), but I do not know when to listen for it.

Zach,

Check this site out, it will give you an idea as to what mode it is in. http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php

Dave - KB1PVH

[KD8KSN]

Thank you for the responses - this helps me out a lot! Now another question: I was thinking of using the 857d for AO-7 - how is the receive on that radio? Is a preamp needed/necessary? I know that both of you guys have 857s, so what is your experience with them?

[M3ONL]

[QUOTE=KD8KSN;2006426]Thank you for the responses - this helps me out a lot! Now another question: I was thinking of using the 857d for AO-7 - how is the receive on that radio? Is a preamp needed/necessary? I know that both of you guys have 857s, so what is your experience with them?[/QUOTE

(edited, apologies not had my morning coffee yet).
I've never used the 857 but have monitored AO-7 using a kenwood th-f7 HT and signals on the ht were good and strong, cannot see you needing a preamp.
Ok now it's coffee time before i reply to anybody else.

M3ONL

[KD8KSN]

(edited, apologies not had my morning coffee yet).
I've never used the 857 but have monitored AO-7 using a kenwood th-f7 HT and signals on the ht were good and strong, cannot see you needing a preamp.
Ok now it's coffee time before i reply to anybody else.

M3ONL

That was my thinking as well. I get an S7-S9 reading on my meter when I work AO51 and it is putting out 740mW, and I believe that I read that AO7 puts out 8W - can anyone confirm that?

[M3ONL]

That was my thinking as well. I get an S7-S9 reading on my meter when I work AO51 and it is putting out 740mW, and I believe that I read that AO7 puts out 8W - can anyone confirm that?

According to details on Amsat's page it is using an 8watt PEP power amplifier

M3ONL

[KD8KSN]

Okay - I have generated another question in my "question making factory"..... I understand that mode B (V/u) on AO7 is inverted - uplink on one sideband and downlink on the other. My question is, how do I know what sideband I should uplink/downlink on (i.e. do I uplink on LSB and downlink on USB, or vice versa)??? For all I know I may have this completely switched around in my head.

Secondly, what is the "gentleman's agreement" as to the frequencies on AO7 - is voice usually at the top and CW at the bottom or vice versa??

[KB1PVH]

,

Okay - I have generated another question in my "question making factory"..... I understand that mode B (V/u) on AO7 is inverted - uplink on one sideband and downlink on the other. My question is, how do I know what sideband I should uplink/downlink on (i.e. do I uplink on LSB and downlink on USB, or vice versa)??? For all I know I may have this completely switched around in my head.

Secondly, what is the "gentleman's agreement" as to the frequencies on AO7 - is voice usually at the top and CW at the bottom or vice versa??

You have it correct, TX on LSB, RX on USB. To answer your other question about needing a preamp with the 857. I used a pair of 857s to work the linear birds with an Arrow and no preamp. It does a good job. You are also correct about where to find voice and CW in the bandpass.

Dave - KB1PVH

[KD8KSN]

,



You have it correct, TX on LSB, RX on USB. To answer your other question about needing a preamp with the 857. I used a pair of 857s to work the linear birds with an Arrow and no preamp. It does a good job. You are also correct about where to find voice and CW in the bandpass.

Dave - KB1PVH

Wow - I am surprised that I gussed that correct..... Thanks for the help! Hopefully I can get something going in a week or two.