[amsat-bb] AO-73 sometimes hard to access

[James Luhn]

I have had the same experience as Perry with AO-73 with regards to 
signal problems.  I have an IC-910 transceiver and a  M2 2mcp14 (2 
meters) and  M2 436CP30 antenna with a Yaesu G-5500.  I have the IC-910 
set to about 25 watts on UHF.  I have made one contact on AO-73.  It has 
taken me forever to get the doppler correct as I usually cannot hear my 
signal.    Last night my returning signal was extremely strong for about 
1 minute.  In comparison, the received signal from FO-29 is extremely 
strong so I am assuming that my UHF antenna is working fine.  Like 
Perry, I have never experienced this before.  At times AO-73 takes some 
very deep fades (telemetry). With such a small little cube, I would not 
think the satellite is blocking the antenna (although 4 inches is 
starting to get close to 435 wavelength.  The frequency offset confused 
me at first.  I just kept cranking up the frequency and there I was but 
very, very weak. I'm not gripping as I am having a blast.  Those of you 
with experience are probably getting a laugh at what I report.  I am a 
newbie to this satellite stuff and learning as I go and extremely 
excited to make even one contact.  Maybe the geese overhead are causing 
me some problems. :-)

73,
-james
W5AOO
...a ham for 50+ years and enjoying every minute of it!