[amsat-bb] AO-73 Lack of transponder activity

[J. Boyd (JR2TTS)]

On Thu, 10 Dec 2015 15:40:39 -0700, "Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)" <amsat-bb at wd9ewk.net> wrote:

> AO-73's transponder normally operates when the satellite is
> not in sunlight, and whenever the AO-73 command stations
> turn the transponder on all the time (usually during the
> weekends and some holidays).

Perfect, since that's usually the only time I have free time to operate
in the first place!

> here on the AMSAT-BB list and also on the @FUNcubeUK Twitter
> feed:
> 
> https://twitter.com/FUNcubeUK

Followed.

> As W5PFG mentioned, this is an easy satellite to work with
> portable stations. I regularly work it with an FT-817ND for
> the uplink, and the downlink is handled either with another
> FT-817ND or my SDRplay SDR receiver with an 8-inch Windows
> 10 tablet running HDSDR. At times on high passes, I can cut
> my transmitter power down from 5W to 500mW and still have a
> readable signal through the transponder. The uplink frequency
> you use will probably change from pass to pass, which is why
> the recommendations of using manual control when working this
> satellite are good. Since this satellite has a sensitive
> uplink receiver, it shouldn't be hard to line yourself up on
> the transponder.

I have an old ICOM IC-706 for the uplink, a Yaesu FT-857D for the
downlink, and a laptop controlling both via CAT. I'm currently only
manually tracking with an Arrow but I figure that will be enough for a
start.

Thanks for the tips, will report back when I've made an attempt. 73

-- 
J. Boyd, JR2TTS/NI3B
the2belo at msd.biglobe.ne.jp
http://www.flickr.com/photos/the2belo/
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Twitter: @Minus2_C