[amsat-bb] SO-50 QSO's

[Paul Stoetzer]

Glenn,

You are probably right, though I do think there are a few subscribers
out there that could use a reminder.

Also, the BB archives do show up in web searches, so someone searching
for SO-50 might come across this thread and learn from it.

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Sun, Aug 3, 2014 at 3:51 PM, Glenn Miller - AA5PK
<aa5pk at suddenlink.net> wrote:
> Paul,
>
> I think you're preaching to the choir.
>
> The offenders are not likely subscribers to the BBS and probably don't even
> know it exists.
>
> Glenn
> AA5PK
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Paul Stoetzer
> Sent: Sunday, August 03, 2014 2:47 PM
>
> To: John Belstner
> Cc: amsat-bb
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] SO-50 QSO's
>
> Also heard over the past few days on SO-50:
>
> -Whistling
> -"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10"
> -"CQ satellite"
> -"November"
>
> You are definitely correct about the primary cause - people need to
> put some effort into optimizing their receive setup as SO-50 has a
> weak downlink signal. I was on a 10 degree max eastern pass of SO-50
> (mostly over the Atlantic Ocean) around 1400Z this morning and had a
> nice 4 minute chat with KG4JPL. Signals were S9+20 on my meter at 10
> degrees. I am using an Arrow II 146/437-10BP, two FT-817s, and a High
> Sierra Microwave LNAA432 preamp.
>
> Here are a few tips:
>
> -If it's the middle of the day or the evening and the pass is covering
> most of the United States, there is someone on. Definitely wait to
> hear it before transmitting. Only the night owl passes are devoid of
> activity.
>
> -Be sure you can adjust polarity. I've seen SO-50 signals go from
> inaudible to S9 with a simple twist of the Arrow/Elk.
>
> -Use good quality coax (I use LMR-240UF at the moment) and the
> shortest run you can use.
>
> -Operate full-duplex. Baofengs are cheap and have adequate sensitivity
> to receive SO-50, get one to use as your receive radio if you're
> trying to use a dual band HT without full-duplex capability. You might
> even mount the receive radio directly to your antenna if you are using
> an Arrow to eliminate coax losses.
>
> -Listen to what's going on. If there's a QSO in progress, wait until
> it's complete. If a station calls someone else, don't call them unless
> the station called is obviously not responding. If there's a rare grid
> or other rarely heard entity on the air, let those who need the grid
> work that station, don't try to make other QSOs. If you key up and
> have clearly lost the battle with another station, unkey.
>
> -Throwing out your callsign once in a pass is OK, but it's better to
> call specific stations.
>
> The good news for FM satellite fans: EO-80 and the Fox-1 series are
> coming! They will be much easier to hear with nice, loud 2m downlinks!
> EO-80 is even capable of putting out 2 watts
> (http://www.amsat-f.org/site/spip.php?article82) which would make it a
> whopping 20 dB louder than SO-50, though it probably won't (and
> shouldn't) be set to 2 watts output very often.
>
> And remember to donate to the Fox project here: http://www.amsat.org/?p=2957
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM
>
> On Sun, Aug 3, 2014 at 3:18 PM, John Belstner <jbelstner at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I heard lots of new calls on SO-50 today and I really wanted to give them
>> a shout back and say welcome.
>> Unfortunately, that's about all I heard was a bunch of folks throwing
>> their call sign out.
>> Is there some "transmit only" mode that I'm not aware of?   ;-)
>>
>> On a more serious note, try to hear the downlink first before
>> transmitting.  It reduces QRM and greatly increases your chances of making a
>> QSO!
>>
>> Thanks and 73,
>> John W9EN
>>
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