Which Radio for the Easy FM Sats?

[K0BAM]

Thanks Clint, always good information. I wish folks would read your web page before screaming "CQ SATELLITE THIS IS ..." over and over and over.

I've used the ft-60r and loved it. I'm now using the Wouxun ht and like it too, but I think the ft-60r had better receive. I think once you get used to the rhythm of the sat contacts it's not really necessary to work full duplex on AO-27. I seem to do ok with 1 watt and my Arrow antenna.

I think any dual band ht will be ok. TWO is better.

[K4MNJ]

Would someone please stop beating up Clint for a few minutes to answer the original question.
What are the "best" radios to work satellites?

if the FT-60R is mediocre, what do all the pro's recommend?

Thanks
de K4MNJ

[W5PFG]

Would someone please stop beating up Clint for a few minutes to answer the original question.

Aww. That's no fun.

What are the "best" radios to work satellites?

if the FT-60R is mediocre, what do all the pro's recommend?

One thing Clint's right about is there are very little choices for a full-duplex satellite radio in compact package in the new market today. Kenwood's TH-D72 is about the only true "full-duplex" solution. HOWEVER there are other older, much less expensive, used options such as Icom W32, Yaesu FT530, FT470, Kenwood TH-D7 etc. I don't rule out used radios just because "they aren't on the market as new."

As for inexpensive and very work-able combinations since most hams are cheap, the Baeofeng and Wouxun radios seem to work fine. I have made numerous contacts using a pair of Baofeng UV-3R's. There are people who are on the birds daily with a pair of Wouxun $119 specials. You don't need any more power or any more glamor. I normally use a Yaesu VX-6R for my uplink radio and a Baeofeng UV-3R for downlink radio when I'm going extreme portable (flying somewhere and can't haul my TM-D700 setup.)

I've gone as primitive as using an Icom 2AT as my uplink radio powered by AA's and using a scanner to listen to the downlink, just to demonstrate how simple it can be done to people. Because LEO's are relatively easy to work, you don't need a super hot receiver as long as your antenna is better than a rubber duck.. (and I don't just mean one of those Popeil Pocket Fisherman antennas either) Small yagis are easy enough to build or there are great commercial options (i.e. Arrows, Elks, etc.)

Bottom line is most people who own at least a radio capable of receiving UHF and a radio capable of transmitting on VHF can probably work either of our two working FM LEO satellites at the current moment. When FOX-1 is launched then a UHF transmitter will be required and a VHF receiver.

[KO4MA]

If you are OK buying used, the FT-530 is hands down the finest radio for use on the FM voice sats. The sub-band tune feature, and the full duplex inherent to this older rig, makes a huge difference in ease of operation on the sats.