[amsat-bb] Re: a couple tweaks to work AO-27 & SO-50

[Bill W1PA]

I have to agree with Clint on this...  don't overthink it.  You only need a 
compass  or a map
to give you an idea where North is. If you have the antenna hand-held
or on a small tripod, you will use it more with your ears than eyes, like a 
metal detector,
but pointed at the sky ---  sweep back and forth, and also rotate the beam 
around the boom
axis for polarization changes, and listen for maximum signal/minimum noise. 
You will be
continually be updating this during the pass...  use your ears.

I print out the AOS and LOS (acquisition and loss of signal) bearings, and 
max elevation values
to give me approx. start and stop location, and to make sure my location 
accounts for the tree line
and any buildings/obstacles. But I am still sweeping back and forth with the 
Arrow as the bird
pops up over the horizon, and then optimize  it when I hear the bird.

Spend the money on a good accurate watch and a voice/tape recorder.  :-)

Bill W1PA