[amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo

[Greg D.]

So, I had pretty marginal copy in both SSB and CW, neither of which were quite good enough to hold a QSO.  The odd thing is that CW did NOT improve things, even with the narrow filter on my FT-736R.

The antenna is a 2x16 CP thing I picked up at a swap meet (so I don't know the brand).  My copy was better with the CP relay UN-energized, so either it's wired backwards, or something is broken.  On the man-made satellites, I have used both polarization settings, so I know they both work.  Puzzle.  

There's also a no-name preamp up there, after a bit of coax to get around the rotor.  Below the preamp is mostly hardline.  Turning on the preamp results in a small but noticeable rise in the base noise floor, so I believe it is working.  And I Just got down from the roof, after checking the aiming using the sun.  No problem there.  I even played with my W9GR DSP box, trying to pull out the signal.  Didn't help much.  

Don't get me wrong - it was a thrill just to hear the moon.  But what's wrong with my setup?  The only other thing I can think of was that the moon was north-east of me at the time, and that means aiming through a bit of oak tree.  Is that the problem?

Greg  KO6TH


> Date: Sat, 17 Apr 2010 16:52:37 -0500
> From: pfeufferm at gmail.com
> To: domenico.i8cvs at tin.it; amsat-bb at amsat.org
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arecibo
> 
> This was my experience with a KLM 435-40CX and no preamp into a 
> FT-736R.  I had to energize the relay on the antenna in order to hear 
> them.  I assume it's RHCP normally, and LHCP when the relay is energized.
> 
> I actually had better copy during the SSB portion than the CW, but am 
> not sure why that was.
> 
> --Mike WQ5C
> 
> 
> On 4/17/2010 4:31 PM, i8cvs wrote:
> > Hi Bob, W7LRD
> >
> > What polarization have you used on your 40 el cp ? RHCP or LHCP ? I am sure
> > that with LHCP it was a very consistant signal and with RHCP nothing was
> > heard.
> >
> > Please confirm !
> >
> > Tanks
> >
> > 73" de
> >
> > i8CVS Domenico
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Bob- W7LRD"<w7lrd at comcast.net>
> > To:<amsat-bb at amsat.org>
> > Sent: Saturday, April 17, 2010 10:57 PM
> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Arecibo
> >
> >
> >    
> >>
> >> Very consistant signal 910/40el cp. I wish they would use dxpedition qso
> >>      
> > methods for more qso/hr. This is a very finite opportunity. Had fun anyway,
> > better luck tomorrow.
> >    
> >> 73 Bob W7LRD
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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> >>
> >>      
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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> >    
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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