[amsat-bb] Re: where all the users

[Auke de Jong]

I can only offer my own reason for being absent from VO-52 and AO-7:
I find keeping-up with the doppler-tuning of these LEO-orbits to be 
frustrating.  It doesn't help that my rig is awkward in this mode, and my 
PC-control option has a problem I've yet to solve.  Add, to this, my manual 
rotator-controller, and it adds-up to several uncompleted contacts.  VO-52 
is, of course, harder than ao-7 because of it's height/speed.

Considering just this reason by itself, HEO is much more inviting, because 
the doppler-effect is so greatly reduced.  I think this reason might be 
shared by several other HAM's on the BB,  even if they don't mention it.  I 
even feel a little embarassed to admit that I haven't been able to cope with 
the different rates of doppler-shift for uplink and downlink.
I might have to put my old transciever (FT-726R) back on the air, just 
because it was a lot easier to control both VFO's mid-QSO to keep centered. 
I don't even think I've completed one, since I've gotten my relatively 
modern "satellite rig" FT-847, despite several attempts to do-so.

I think that the FM birds are more populated due to their twofold 
advantage... very few tuning-steps to stay locked on RX and in some cases, 
no uplink tuning at all;  and FM gear is smaller and cheaper than anything 
available to work linear, especially portable/mobile.

This would make an excellent poll, if we were on a messageboard-forum such 
as the one on www.narc.net, or maybe as a mail-back card sent to all 
members.

I've been skipping/deleting all the other chatter regarding complaints for 
lack of a functioning HEO, etc etc.  I feel so much better for not having 
been infected by the negativity of others. I hope the storm dies-sown soon 
so that we can get back to what we do best... whatever it is!
73's
Auke

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Price" <n4qwf1 at gmail.com>
To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:16 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] where all the users


>I have been reading about the need for HEO satellites and the reasons
> we don't have them. I wonder why the folks that wont the
> HEO's so bad never show up on AO-07 or VO-52. Most passes it is joe
> K3SZH and maybe two others at most on AO-07 and
> I hardly ever hear anyone on VO-52. The birds that have all the users
> are the FM sats. I would love to see a HEO built but if we
> are not going to use what we have what is the point.
>
> 73's << John
>
> -- 
> N4QWF Amateur Radio Operator
> AO-7,AO-27,SO-50,AO-51,VO-52,ISS
> Internet N4QWF at AMSAT.ORG
> Echolink nodes #110903 -L #388463
> Formerly KC4AHW VK3FEZ
> Amsat Member #27845
> DXCC #33,478
> VUCC SAT #135
> WAS SAT #296
> 51 on AO-51 #13
> LON -79.256 LAT 37.459 Grid FM07il
>>From the Foothills of the Blueridge
>
> *Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of
> arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to
> skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
> proclaiming - "WOW, What a ride!"
> _______________________________________________
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