[amsat-bb] Re: Antenna advice

[Robert Bruninga]

> I'm new to satellite stuff.
> Do I need an az-el rotator 

Not at all for any of the present satellites.  Just a $75 TV
rotator from radio shack.  Tilt your Arrow up a fixed 15 degrees
and you can work the satellites from horizon to horizon.  

LEO satellites are below 30 degrees 75% of the time.  When they
are above 30, they are  6 to 10 dB closer and so pointing is not
an issue.  They are below 45 degrees 94% of the time.  Above 60
degrees only 2% of the time and it just isnt worth chasing that
2%.

See the plot on:
http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/rotator1.html

Bob, Wb4APR