[amsat-bb] Re: Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50??

[Jim Leder]

I have used my Kenwood TH-F6A along with an Arrow antenna, and IMHO it works 
just fine. You do need to get it programmed right and you need to get used 
to switching between VFOs as you track the satellite and the Doppler effect 
on frequency. It is NOT a full duplex radio like the W32A, and you will not 
be able to hear yourself, but I have never felt that's been a problem.. I 
programmed mine to transmit on one VFO (uplink) and be able to receive on 
several different frequencies (downlink) on the other VFO. On the transmit 
VFO, the squelch is closed all the way, while on the receive VFO, it's open 
all the way. So, VFO A is set for uplink of 145.920 on memory channel 150 
and on memory channels 152-153 I have them programmed for 435.290 and 
435.295 (downlink which is in VFO B). 154 is center frequency of 435.300 and 
of course 155 and 156 are set to 435.305 and 435.310. By switching between 
VFOs I can change downlink channels/frequencies to fit the Doppler shift. A 
little cumbersome, but that little radio works very well. You can follow a 
similar scheme on the QRP channel of AO51 (mine is 160-166) and SO50 (mine 
is 170-176-get the picture). I have made several contacts with it on the QRP 
channels but have had no luck on SO50, which is a lot more difficult 
satellite to hear.
 I'm using it because it's what I had, and I'm happy to say with a little 
use and practice you quickly get the hang of it.
 Of course, either the W32A or the Kenwood TH-D7A do FULL duplex, but both 
are no longer in production. Hearing yourself is nice, but not necessary.

     Jim Bob Buckeye
            AKA
  **** Jim Leder****
    K8CXM since 1961
 IBM retiree since 1999

There are 10 types of people in this world -- those who understand binary
and those who don't.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Guy Brauning" <guyjeanbraun at comcast.net>
To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2008 12:06 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Kenwood TH-F6A for AO-51 / SO-50??


> Thanks for reading this.  I am considering buying an HT for AO-51 and 
> SO-50
> as well as AO-27 (hopefully!).  I have been using a Yaesu FT-817 and 
> either
> an Arrow or Elk antenna and this has worked very well; however, an HT 
> would
> be easier to carry around.  I am looking for recommendations / warnings /
> etc. specific to the Kenwood TH-F6A.  I would like some advice from those
> who have used the radio for satellite work before I shell out $320.00.  I
> seriously considered a used IC-W32A on e-bay but it went for over $150.00
> and I couldn't see paying that much for something that may or may not work
> properly.  Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Guy
>
> N3SCR
>
> Finksburg, MD
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb