[amsat-bb] ARISSat-1 1400z Aug 4 SSB!

[Sebastian, W4AS]

For this pass, I concentrated on the SSB transponder.  For much of the pass, I heard only 'noise', however listening down from the transponder, I could clearly hear the CW beacon and BPSK; and listening up I could hear the FM voice announcements.

As I listened to the SSB transponder, I thought I would give my call a few times.  I did, but there were very rapid fades.  I started to 'time' the fades, and when the noise level would build, I would give my call.  Yes, I was able to hear myself.  I wasn't able to correct the doppler due to the deep fades, but if I timed it correctly, I could hear myself between the fades.

I also heard CW in the transponder which wasn't the beacon, but again, because of the fades, only letters could be copied.  I wonder who it was that was calling, perhaps if that person is reading, I would like to know who it was.

So...was ARISSat hearing me from the dummy load, or from the antenna connector?  Perhaps when/if the spin subsides, we might be able to use the SSB transponder.

73 de Sebastian, W4AS EL95