[amsat-bb] antennas and schedule for AO-7?

[Bill Dzurilla]

Hi,

Today I listened for the first time for AO-7.  I read
all the info pages about this bird, but did not see
anything about a key question: when is the bird in
mode A and when in mode B?  Is there a schedule, or do
we have to listen on both 10m and 2m until we hear the
beacon?

Anyhow, this morning there was a high pass and I heard
the sat loud and clear in mode A, although it was not
at all busy.  Just 2 or 3 stations calling CQ on cw,
no ssb at all.  I was able to hear my own ssb signal
on the downlink.

Was wondering what is a good antenna for receiving the
10m downlink.  I have a vertical that usually performs
quite well for regular HF work, but I lost the sat
signal when the bird was still quite high, 25 degrees
or so.  This surprised me, as the vertical has a low
angle of radiation.

Is there any SSB activity on this sat?

73, Bill NZ5N 


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