Hello everyone!
I'm considering buying a Diamond X-200 antenna(dual band vertical 2m/70cm) from my local hamradio store.
One thing will make me buying it or not: can it receive FM satellites? I know for sure it can receive the SSB ones (I can receive them with a mobile antenna so..) but I need some reviews from the people who used/use this vertical for satellite work.
Do not give me advices like buying a rotator and n elements Yagis because I don't have neither the money nor the space.
What does SSB or FM have to do with it? A particular resonate antenna doesn't work better on any particular mode. It picks up RF, and the receiver demodulates the RF.
The issue with satellites is polarization. Circular is better then a vertical or horrizontal.
The other issue is how broadband the antenna is, and if it has a reasonable SWR on the low portion of 2m/70cm, where the satellites operate.
Yes, for SSB the receiver can pick up even the very faint signals. This is not true with FM. I've experienced this with a mobile vertical, I hear SSB sats but I don't hear the FM ones.
Yes, for SSB the receiver can pick up even the very faint signals. This is not true with FM. I've experienced this with a mobile vertical, I hear SSB sats but I don't hear the FM ones.
That is because SSB is a better mode for weak signals. FM is good for line of site operation, and is used on some satellites so that hams with simple FM equipment can work them. That said, FM is not a good mode for Satellites or DX on 2m/70cm.
The FM sats are usualy low orbit, and you need antenna gain to receive a descent signal. I know you don't want to mess with a yagi, but I doubt you will have much luck with a vertical.
I have not heard anything yet. I have only tried in the last few days and the passes near my QTH have not been the best when I was listening.
For sure the biggest factor working against me is the coax to the antenna. I can work the many repeaters in the area OK. I am not sure that the weak signals can be heard with the current cable I am using.
I am going to spend some more time on this project using my HT outside and the base setup inside and compare reception. Many months ago I did hear a bird briefly with a VX-6 and Diamond RH77 antenna and the pass was low to the horizon.
Not much of an answer, best I can do for now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by YO9ICT
What I need is someone who owns this antenna to tell me if he can receive FM birds.
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The road goes on forever and the party never ends...
What I need is someone who owns this antenna to tell me if he can receive FM birds.
I worked FM sats with a handheld Arrow 2m/70cm yagi. Never heard them with my Comet vertical, and it is an 18' stacked 5/8 wave, very high gain antenna fed with LMR-400. I have worked simplex stations well over 130 miles. For sat work, it is the wrong choice.
You miss the point. This is about polarization mismatch loss, which can be up to 20db, and not about antenna gain or a particular model.
An eggbeater will work better then a high gain vertical, as the polarization losses on the vertical, are much higher then the increased gain of the vertical .
I am going to spend some more time on this project using my HT outside and the base setup inside and compare reception. Many months ago I did hear a bird briefly with a VX-6 and Diamond RH77 antenna and the pass was low to the horizon.
With a gain antenna on a HT held horizontally, you will have more luck then with a vertical.
This is nothing new, and no matter how much the poster wants the answer he wants to hear, reality is that a vertical is a poor choice, no matter how much gain it has.
With a gain antenna on a HT held horizontally, you will have more luck then with a vertical.
This is nothing new, and no matter how much the poster wants the answer he wants to hear, reality is that a vertical is a poor choice, no matter how much gain it has.
Add coax loss, and it is even worse.
I understand your point of view and you are correct. But this is the only option I have right now. I don't give a *penny* on circular polarization because currently I have a Jpole and I receive SSB sats (with downlink on 2m) very well.
So it appears that nobody on the planet has this antenna. Nobody can give me an answer. Maybe NASA will help me? Joking...
Edit: Yes, I also worked FM sats with handheld Yagi, so I know the basics of satellite reception, polarization & radiation pattern...
Last edited by YO9ICT; 11-05-2009 at 08:56 PM.
Reason: Edit
The best passes are those close to the horizon, due to the antenna design. When the birds pass directly overhead, I lose them completely until they fall back near the horizon.
We appreciate your support.
Diamond X-200
Linear Mode
