[amsat-bb] Re: satellite radios

[STeve Andre']

On 11/28/11 16:48, Jim White wrote:
> I would appreciate info on what the currently available satellite 
> radios are.  We have used the IC-910 and FT-736R for some time and now 
> need to recommend a radio to a couple of groups building cubesats.  
> The 736 is of course long gone but it appears the 910 is also no 
> longer made. We recently helped a group who had bought a TS-2000 and I 
> was not particularly impressed with it as a satellite radio.
>
> So what's current and what works well on V and U?
>
> Jim
> jim at coloradosatellite.com


Why limit yourself to current radios?  The Icom 910 isn't made now
but there are a lot of them around.  The much older IC-275/IC-475
are cheaper still but give great performance.  Harder to get, but I'll
bet with a little luck you could get a pair of them for about the same
price as a 910H.

Another thing to think of is an Elecraft with their 2m/70cm  transverters.

The Flex 5000 with their 2m/70cm board would make a fantastic rig,
albeit at a price (3500 ish?) but is in the neighborhood of the 9100.

The IC-290/IC-490 are older ssb rigs, but they'd work pretty well, too.

A few thoughts...

--STeve Andre'
wb8wsf en72