[amsat-bb] Re: Optimum HT for FM satellite use?

[Clint Bradford]

Instead of purchasing old equipment (very few will come with new  
battery pack...repairs either expensive or not available), you could  
always use two radios - one for RX and one for TX. Or use a scanner on  
RX!

And on the FM birds, it is not mandatory to operate at full duplex.  
Preferable, but not mandatory.

I use the Yaesu FT-60R for all my AO-51 demonstrations. The underlying  
"theme" to my presentations is the fact that most hams probably  
already have the necessary equipment to work the FM birds, and, if  
not, it doesn't take a lot of money for equipment. FT-60R are great  
dual-band rigs: bulletproof construction, strongest belt clip of ANY  
amateur HT chassis on the market, 1,000 memories, RX 108 to a gig,  
great RX volume. Add to this a great battery system where, with the  
optional AA battery case, you have FULL TX POWER available if needed.  
For comparison, use an optional AA case with the Kenwood TH-F6a, and  
you're running one-half of one Watt TX.

The FT-60R can be programmed for "split freqs" (page 28 of the owners  
manual) - where you can set it up to TX on one band and RX on another  
in a single memory location. (Several other current HTs do this, too.)

All for under $200. Improve its -2dB stock antenna, and you have a  
portable satellite station!

For AO-51, I have mine programmed like this ... (nothing extraordinary  
here) ...

Ch 100, RX 435.310, TX 145.920
Ch 101, RX 435.305, TX 145.920
Ch 102, RX 435.300, TX 145.920
Ch 103, RX 435,295, TX 145.920
Ch 104, RX 435.290, TX 145.920

Channel 102 is the "center" frequency. As you ACQUIRE the signal,  
listen slightly ABOVE (ACQUIRE - ABOVE: my mnemonic device) the center  
frequency to compensate for the doppler effect.

Preachin' to the choir here ... sorry ... (grin)

Clint Bradford
http://www.clintbradford.com