[amsat-bb] Re: Extended rubber ducks / whips on an HT for LEOs

[B J]

On 8/21/12, Clayton Coleman W5PFG <kayakfishtx at gmail.com> wrote:
> I think it's time to stop recommending people use AL-800 or SRH320
> -style extended whips for LEO newcomers.  These antennas are very poor
> performers for working either SO-50 or AO-27.  Even under an ideal
> pass, using these antennas will likely result in many missed calls.
> We all know "it can be done..."  So can running a dogsled race with
> Chihuahuas.

<snip>

> When we had AO-51, reception on an extended whip was more viable.  Now
> with AO-27 and SO-50, these "extended" rubber ducks have become much
> less viable options. Often the stations on a whip do not take into
> account their "handicap" and try to make contacts even though they are
> not hearing the bird.
>
> It’s time to retire these extended whips as a recommendation since
> there are both inexpensive commercially-available gain antennas and
> many good home-brew designs.

I made my first satellite QSOs with my FT-817ND and the stock antenna
that came with it.  That combination was adequate provided the
satellite was at a higher elevation and the downlink was strong and
clear.

One drawback, however, was that I had to rotate my radio in order to
hear the signal during a pass but that also meant that it affected my
uplink.  There were a lot of exchanges along the lines of "Huh?" and
"What did you say?" during those contacts.  I'm sure I missed a lot of
potential QSLs because of that.

Those limitations alone persuaded me to get my Arrow Yagi.

73s

Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL

<snip>