[amsat-bb] Mode B equipment for eagle (fwd)

[McGrane]

Greetings- considering the recent discussion regarding Eagle modes, I
thought I would repost this question for any answers. Will I be able to
use traditional SSB gear for Eagle mode B?

I have recently combined an Azimuth rotator and a cheap TV rotator for
elevation adjustments using short beams but can upgrade the antennas
later.

Thanks in advance for any replies, pat n2oeq


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sat, 9 Sep 2006 07:46:45 -0400 (EDT)
From: McGrane <tmcgrane at suffolk.lib.ny.us>
To: Amsat BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Subject: Mode B equipment for eagle


Greetings

In the past couple of years, I have set up a very cheap satellite station
for mode B. I had a 2 meter all-mode mobile rig (FT480R) I paid 50 dollars
for connected to a cushcraft 4 element Yagi beam. I purchased a 70
centimeter FT790RII for $125 and made a homebrew 8 element Yagi. 
Antennas are monted on single azimuth rotator mast and angled up about 10
degrees. This setup works extremely well for hamsat (VO-52).

Now, going from LEO hamsat to HEO Eagle, I will probably have to make a
longer UHF yagi and add an amplifier, Also a longer VHF beam. I already
have a mirage 2 meter amp with built in preamp. If the coax is short as it
is now, I can use the amp's preamp.

I saw a reference in one of the flurry of emails mentioning a 1KW ERP SSB
station for eagle. Right now, for UHF, I'm at about 250 watts ERP. Either
adding an amp or making a new antenna will bring me up to 1KW ERP or more.

Am I on the right path?

Will I be able to add to this equipment to work Eagle or will something
totally new be required for mode B ?

Thanks for ideas, Patrick N2OEQ