[amsat-bb] Re: Using a scanner to hear the FM sats?

[Edward Cole]

At 05:27 PM 5/30/2007, Tony Langdon wrote:
>At 10:38 AM 5/31/2007, Michael Tondee wrote:
> >Due to some money issues, I had to sell all my sat gear including my
> >beloved  TS-2000X. I've been going through some of my old gear and
> >rustled up a Radio shack VHF/UHF scanner that covers ham frequencies. Do
> >you think it would be possible to hear the FM sats with it? I have a
>
>Depends on the scanner.  You have some possible issues to contend
>with.  Firstly, scanners are likely to be a little deaf, compared to
>the Kenwood, but with a decent antenna (and possibly preamp) it
>should have the sensitivity.  Secondly, if you're in an RF heavy
>area, intermods and image responses might cause interference.  Suck
>it and see. :)
>
> >homebrew 11 element  linearly polarized yagi and I can still track the
> >sats via computer rotator control.
>
>That solves the antenna problem.  I'd say your chances are good.
>
> >I can make it where I have a short run of cable to the antennas since I
> >don't have preamps anymore.
> >I'm also wondering about using some 75ohm RG6 quad shield satellite TV
> >cable for receiving. Would this be better or worse than 9913 with the
> >scanner? Kind of grabbing at straws here but I'm wondering if anyone
> >thinks it would work before I invest too much time into it.
>
>The 75 ohm cable will probably work fine for receiving.  If you
>already have the cable, suck it and see.  The most difficult part
>will be fitting connectors to it.
>
>Worth a shot I'd say.
>
>73 de VK3JED
>http://vkradio.com

Good points Tony.  If the scanner is mounted near the antenna 5-10 
foot then RG-6 is not worse than 9913, but for long runs of 50-feet 
or more the 9913 wins.  I would try to have a preamp as the scanner 
is probably quite "deaf"!  Another issue is whether the scanner can 
be programmed in 1-KHz steps.  If limited to 5-KHz or more then 
tuning Doppler will be a challenge.

BTW the outside diameter of RG-6 is the same as mini-8 coax and 
RG-59, so the reducer that works for RG-59 in PL-259 connectors 
fits.  I would not be too concerned about impedance mismatch if a 
preamp is used.  On 2401 MHz I ran RG-6 from the F-connector on my 
Drake down convertor to my FT-847 where I just used a PL-259 with the 
UHF connector on the radio.  I have about 45-dB gain on 2401 so 
losses in RG-6 doesn't matter.


73,
Ed - KL7UW
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