[amsat-bb] Re: AO40 contacts

[Jeff Yanko]

I didn't have a base satellite station when AO-40 was launched, and still 
don't have one now (really no need).  However, it was amazing to copy 
AO-40's 2 meter telemetry when it was at apogee with just a simple 2 meter 
all mode rig, a 7 element beam pointed at the right diorection (no elevation 
control), no pre-amp and 45 feet of lossy RG-58 coax.  At times it was a 
true S-4 on the meter.  Since my antenna was linearly polarized, vertical, I 
could watch the signal dip a little as the bird was spinning.


73,

Jeff  WB3JFS




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Edward R. Cole" <kl7uw at acsalaska.net>
To: <kc5qbc at swbell.net>
Cc: "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 3:51 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 contacts


>I was on AO-40 from its launch, initially running mode US, then mode
> LS (I bought one of the few DEMI 1268/144 Tx converters that were
> made).  I made several contacts after I got my s-band downlink
> working.  Initially, I was using too small an antenna and did not
> have a decent preamp.  Once I graduated to the 85cm (33-inch) offsst
> feed dish and added a MKU-232 preamp, I was able to hear anyone.  I
> spent a long time collecting telemetry and could do so out to a
> squint angle of 49-degrees.
>
> It really is a shame that there was no workaround for the battery
> issue or even run on solar panels like AO7.  But this was before AO7
> reawakened to provide that insight.  I lived and waited long years
> for AO-40 and unfortunately wasted time I could have operated on AO-13.
>
> Now I have all the stuff needed to work a Heo and hardly anywhere to
> use it (I bought one of the early FT-847 just for AO-40).  I would
> say a lot of the operators of the Heo years have gone away from
> satellite activity (some remain lurking on Amsat-bb wishing upon a
> star ...or a hope and a prayer).
>
> I will return, if Murphy will leave me alone long enough!  But I
> mainly operate Oscar-Zero now days.
>
> 73, ED - KL7UW
>
> At 11:04 AM 2/3/2011, Floyd Rodgers wrote:
>>Did anyone manage to bag any contacts off A040 before it's sad event?
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>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
> ======================================
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