[amsat-bb] Re: Crossbooms ... my pennyworth.

[Howard Long]

Hi Bruce 

> I believe it was on this list that I read of an alternative 
> to fiberglass booms (of which there are none in my local sales 
> area). My new 10' boom comprises sched. 40 conduit with an 
> snug-fitting 8' length of doweling placed inside. Others have 
> removed any 'play' between the doweling and the conduit by 
> spraying expanding foam inside the ends of the conduit. I 
> suppose one should cap the ends, too. The total cost of this 
> for me was CAN $20. The antennas, rotors and mast are on 
> sawhorses now, but as far as I can see the conduit-dowel 
> boom has an appropriate stiffness.

I agree, this is a good way of doing it - ISTR I've seen it mentioned
previously on the -BB.

> Howard mentioned the much-documented advantages of polarization switching
> for LEO satellite work. In this same context, is it worth the additional
> work to include the remote logic required for V and H polarizations along
> with RHCP and LHCP? 

It's a nice to have, but not as much as being able to switch R/LHCP. I
currently use the WIMO polarisation switches and they happen to have all
four polarisations built in.

73, Howard G6LVB