[amsat-bb] Re: a cheap LEO tracker for single op

[Erich Eichmann]

Bill,
the older FT-847 (I don't know up to which serial number) didn't allow to
poll the VFO frequency. As I understand your mail ("predated bi-directional
CAT")  you have such older model.  CAT control with FM sats should work,
because SatPC32 doesn't poll the VFO but only sets the frequency.
With SSB sats it will also work, but you can tune the radio around the 
passband only with the 5 up/down controls or the keyboard. If you tune it 
with the VFO knob the program will restore the previous frequencies with the 
next Doppler correction.bcause it can't read the frequency change you made 
with the knob.

73s, Erich, DK1TB

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill (W1PA)" <w1pa at hotmail.com>
To: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 28, 2013 4:54 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] a cheap LEO tracker for single op


> Again, thinking to FD...
>
> - My FT-847 predates bi-directional CAT  i.e. no computer assisted Doppler
> - I may be the only one at the station i.e. no helper to man the antenna
> (Arrow), so I may need to do everything.
> - assume the transponder LEO birds
>
> Has anyone tried this?:
>
> 1) mount a standard TV antenna horizontal
> 2) align the horizontal rotor axis 90 deg to the orbit
>   tilt (inclination?) of the intended bird (so if the
> bird went directly overhead, a beam mounted on the mast would track)
> 3) but, mount the antenna on the horizontal mast such that it can be set
> tilted off the mast
>   0 to 90 degs to the mast axis (from horizon to zenith, and in practice
> set it to the maximum elevation of the intended pass)
> 4) operation: set the rotator (in 2) and aim the beam to the AOS
>  point of the pass (in 3), pan the orbit remotely from the operator
> position.
> 5) the rotator axis and angle of the beam to mast would have to be set for
> each pass.
>
> Do-able?
>
> Bill W1PA
>
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