[amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 status

[David Barber]

AO-51 copied here during the 18.50 - 19.04UTC UK visible pass using a
2m/70cm colinear at 30ft, no pre-amp.

Signal quite weak but copyable.  One station calling CQ without reply.

David
G8OQW



-----Original Message-----
From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
Behalf Of Andrew Glasbrenner
Sent: 06 February 2007 19:19
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org; Bill Goff
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO-51 status

I think the antenna or maybe the feedline is probably the issue. A collinear

antenna has a very focused pattern on the horizon and deep nulls overhead. 
The length and loss characteristics of the feedline may also have much to do

with the situation. Omnis are tough on UHF downlinks, especially without a 
mast mounted preamp and a low loss feedline.

An approach more likely to result in you hearing the satellite may be to try

listening with an HT with a long whip antenna, a mobile with a 1/4 wave 
whip, or any radio with a short beam antenna. Look for the highest overhead 
pass you can find when the satellite is closest for the best chance of 
success. Remember to unsquelch your receiver as well.

The software update is still in process, but the repeater has been active. 
There is not much to hear on the digital/beacon side without a TNC, as the 
data sounds much like noise to the ear, plus the downlink is weaker. I would

stick to the repeater downlink on 435.300 tuning 10 kHz high at the 
beginning of the pass through 10 kHz low at the end, and right on .300 for 
the middle of the pass.

Feel free to email me at ko4ma at amsat.org with any other questions. Maybe we 
can work through an equipment list of what you have available and come up 
with a configuration most likely to succeed.

73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations
AMSAT LM 2332

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Goff" <b-goff at sbcglobal.net>
To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 12:51 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] AO-51 status


> I've been interested attempting to work thru this satellite for
> several days beginning 1/31 without much luck.  One each occasion
> I've not heard the beacon at all nor heard any other qso's.  I've
> used the amsat path predictions and online tracking so I'm sure I'm
> listening at the correct times.  I'm using a colinear vertical about
> 20' up at the QTH, so I think I've got enough antenna to at least
> hear the satellite.   Does anyone here know it the software update is
> still in process?  Is the satellite not in operation now?
>
> Bill
> KI6DJ
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