[amsat-bb] AO-73 - Evening transponder time increasing in NorthernHemisphere

[Clayton W5PFG]

One thing I might add: often I encounter stations spending a lot of time 
trying to find themselves on the transponder.  I suspect they are trying 
to calibrate their SatPC32/MacDoppler/gpredict.  Sadly, they spend so 
much time doing so that they miss out on the precious transponder time. 
  Ditting/hola/test-test-test without sending a callsign doesn't even 
make for a good SWL report.

I would suggest stations NOT try using computer control and enjoy the 
transponder with manual control.

Chances are if you are not hearing your own downlink on AO-73, you 
probably either have a poor antenna/feedline OR (more likely) you are 
not listening in the correct corresponding downlink frequency for your 
uplink frequency into the transponder. AO-73 is VERY easy to hear!

73
Clayton
W5PFG

On 8/17/2015 21:13, Paul Stoetzer wrote:
> Good evening,
>
> As we're nearly two months pass the Summer Solstice here in the
> Northern Hemisphere, transponder time is increasing on evening passes
> over North America. Here in Washington, DC, on the 0155Z pass, I had 6
> minutes and 10 seconds of pass time from AOS until the satellite
> entered sunlight and the transponder switched off. I heard and worked
> PV8DX at my AOS, but no other stations were heard.
>
> AO-73 is currently the only amateur satellite consistently available
> during regular evening hours, even if not for an entire pass, so let's
> hear some more activity! It's really quite an easy satellite to work
> with the strong downlink.
>
> 73,
>
> Paul, N8HM