[amsat-bb] Re: DJ-G7T and full-duplex satellite operating

[Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)]

Hi Drew!

> My EDS-10 arrives this week, probably tomorrow. Saturday I did hook the
> radio up to my ancient Arrow antenna and took a listen to AO-27. Receiving
> on the subband as I would if working the satellite, one thing odd I noticed
> was the off frequency response of the radio. If I was 5 kHz off, it seemed
> that very little could be heard. Most of my other radios give more of a
> partially readable signal when off frequency. Sensitivity was excellent. I
> also listened on the triband Diamond rubber duck I purchased to replace the
> stock duck, and reception was still decent.

Mine seems to be a little bit off-frequency, maybe a little on the high side.
I noticed that near the end of the AO-51 pass last night, when I stayed on
435.295 later in the pass than I normally would when using other radios.
I'll make note of that the next time I try this on the birds, to see
if I need to
start out at 435.315 for AO-51 or 436.805/.810 for SO-50 or AO-27.

When using the HT on local repeaters, I don't find the radio to be off-
frequency.  I can tune to the proper frequency for the repeaters on 2m
or 70cm (I can't hit the only analog 23cm repeater in the Phoenix area
from where I live), and have had good reports from other tests I did
last night.

> I'll agree the manual is horrid, but there is a note included that says it
> is a preliminary version and an updated one will be posted to the website
> soon.

Yes, that note was in there.  The manual is a bit of an impediment, when
trying to figure out a new radio.

Maybe we can get additional comments from others who have this radio.
I'm going to forward my comments to Alinco's US distributor, after talking
with those guys at length at Dayton.  They are curious to hear how well this
radio works for satellite use.  Again, this appears to be a work-in-progress,
especially with the fact the radio's firmware can be updated.

73!




Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/