[amsat-bb] Re: Need advice : Eggbeater antenna, preamp, coax

[Bruce Robertson]

On Sun, Jun 28, 2009 at 7:20 PM, Jim Jerzycke<kq6ea at pacbell.net> wrote:
> There's a TREMENDOUS difference with the preamp, mounted at the antenna. You will hear the satellites earlier, and stronger, with the preamp.
> Good coax is also good to have, but if you're on a budget, buy the preamp first. I tried many different things, but the preamp made the most improvement.
> 73, Jim  KQ6EA

Jean-François --

Welcome to the fraternity of satellite experimenters. I think you'll
really enjoy the experience of improving your satellite station. If
you have not yet bought your egg-beater antennas, you can save a
considerable amount of money to begin by using simple, homebrew
verticals with the preamps. If you just solder the appropriate length
of stiff wire to a male connector, you can have a working satellite
antenna for only about $5! The point here is that the preamp is
absolutely critical, and with LEO satellites a small antenna will
receive quite a bit if you can improve your commercial radio's
sensitivity.

Of course, you will want to upgrade from the homebrew verticals, but
they do provide you with a cheap and reliable basis from which to
judge future improvements.

Also, don't forget that if you have a radio that doesn't provide power
for your preamps, you might want to buy bias tees for your preamps.
Finally, be sure to purchase good, low noise, preamps. The SSB USA
models and the Advanced Receiver Research ones are both well-regarded
on this list.

73, Bruce
VE9QRP

> --- On Sun, 6/28/09, Jean-François Ménard <va2ss at me.com> wrote:
>
> From: Jean-François Ménard <va2ss at me.com>
> Subject: [amsat-bb]  Need advice : Eggbeater antenna, preamp, coax
> To: "AMSAT Mailing list" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009, 1:16 PM
>
> Hi,
>
> I would like to know if there is much difference using a preamp for
> satellite receiving using a M2 Eggbeater antenna ?
>
> And also, is there much difference between a heliax 0.5"  and a RG-8 on
> a 50 feet cable run between the antenna and the radio ?
>
> I would really like to optimize my receiving quality but I also want to
> know where to put all my effort first.
>
> I'm new and I cannot invest much money the first year.
>
> Thank to all for your advice.
>
> 73
>
> ---
> Jean-François Ménard
> VA2SS
>
> _______________________________________________