[amsat-bb] Re: HO68 1706z Pass???

[PA3GUO]

Hi Joe

May not be of much help, but here is a video summarizing HO-68 modes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6oDgUTHCwg

Using an 8 elements antenna + pre-amp I can hear the beacon from 0.1 degrees elevation already
At 5 degrees it's rock-solid. Without pre-amp you hear it from 10 degrees or so, depending on your radio.
We have heared the FM repeater on a portable radio with a simple vertical.

Be aware of the doppler shift at 70cm, which is a few kHz (tune around !).

Let us know how it works out for you, I find it really a nice & easy satellite to use.

Dont panic if you do not hear the beacon/transponder. As mentioned already, 
there are some problems and both maybe be off (I had yesterday a pass where
the beacon was on but also one pass where it was off)

Success !
Henk, PA3GUO

> I have a pass in about one hour now from near Seattle.
> Since, I've never used HO-68, is the beacon:  Downlink 435.7900 MHz CW   ??
> Btw, how does the typical beacon signal compare to the typical transponder 
> signal folks have?   Is it louder or same?
> Thanks, Joe, AD7D.

--
Henk, PA3GUO