[amsat-bb] Re: SO-50

[Bill Dzurilla]

One other important thing to remember about SO-50.  Unlike AO-51 and AO-27, it does not transmit a carrier.  You won't hear any noise unless someone is transmitting.  You can't just wave your antenna around and peak for maximum on a carrier.  So unless you are running full duplex and can hear your own signal, in times of low activity you don't know if you are getting into the bird.

Although SO-50 is not as strong as the other birds, you can work it easily with an HT and an Elk or Arrow handheld antenna.

73, Bill NZ5N
> SO-50 is difficult to work for two reasons, in my opinion:
> 
> 
> 1 - Its power level is a nominal 250 milliwatts (.25 watt).
> 
> 
> 2 - It is transmitting that quarter-watt into a 0-gain
> quarter-wave vertical mounted on one corner of the
> satellite. 
> 
> This truly is the QRPp space-radio station! There is a very
> good chance that you are doing nothing wrong. I encourage
> you, however, to try working a pass without Doppler control.
> Let your ears guide you for the Doppler tuning, based on the
> relative noise level as the pass unfolds, and park your
> uplink at 145.850. 
> 
> The very best of luck. Please let us know how you progress.
> 
> 
> 73, 
> 
> Tim - N3Tl 
> Athens, Ga. - EM84ha