[amsat-bb] Kenwood D72 on SO-50

Sun Jul 5 01:49:30 UTC 2015

So, none of you has said a word about turning on the "duplex" feature at
all.....do I just need to forget about setting it, and just deal with the
dual VFOs?

Thanks for the great suggestions I've gotten so far. :-)

Philip N4HF

On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 8:55 PM, Frank Krizan <frank.krizan at verizon.net>
wrote:

> For Philip and the group,
>
> Here’s the suggestion that’s been floating around since 2011.  It stemmed
> from a discussion with Keith Pugh, W5IU:
>
>   I spent quite a bit of time with Keith Pugh, W5IU, of AMSAT, who also
> owns a D72A.  We commiserated over the fact that the new radio doesn't
> allow for separate PTT and Tune of the A and B bands.
>
>                     We'd like to suggest that a future firmware update
> offer a RADIO MENU Option for PTT which would toggle through:  NORMAL,
> A=PTT/B=TUNE, A=TUNE/B=PTT.  The Band selected for TUNE would be flagged
> with the standard solid "arrowhead" and the Band selected for PTT would be
> flagged with a "flashing" "arrowhead".
>
>                     This would allow for easier use of the radio for LEO
> satellite work, especially when the download needs to be tuned.  Right now,
> the operator needs to remember what Band is selected and ensure the correct
> Band is chosen before changing the frequency, either via VFO or Memory
> Channel.
>
>                     It's very easy to get confused and change the uplink
> frequency and, then, transmit on the downlink.  Having separate PTT/TUNE
> would make this radio a lot more fun for satellite use.
>
> Maybe someone’s listening out there who could help.
>
> 73, Frank K5HS (ex KR1ZAN)
>
>
> > On Jul 4, 2015, at 20:42, Frank Krizan <frank.krizan at verizon.net> wrote:
> >
> > Hi Philip,
> >
> > I’ve just gotten used to pressing the A/B switch to toggle the PTT/Tune
> to the frequency I want to change.  It’s a pain. I usually program in
> memories for AOS, AOS+, MID, MID+, and LOS.  And, once in a while, I change
> the wrong channel or transmit on the wrong frequency.   I’ve suggested a
> firmware change to everyone who will listen to offer a PTT selection and
> TUNE selection so the operator doesn’t have to toggle the A/B; but, so far,
> no success.
> >
> > If the D72A could also have smaller frequency steps and the ability to
> select which radio (A or B) was designated for PTT and for TUNE, the D72A
> would be a great HT for portable use.
> >
> > From what I’ve been able to determine, you cannot ‘link’ VHF and UHF
> memories together to achieve the split function you described.  This would
> be another firmware option that could offer some convenience.
> >
> > I love the D72A, and, it’s a shame that to work the [flame off] Easy
> Sats, it’s easier to buy a $39 radio than to use a very full featured radio.
> >
> > Maybe if more folks agreed with the suggestion, Kenwood would listen.
> >
> > I would also like to see a new HT with a Bluetooth interface to allow
> for iOS or Android Apps which could remotely change the frequencies or
> channels during a pass.  This could also allow for audio interfaces for
> PSK-31, APRS, Packet, and more.
> >
> > 73, Frank K5HS
> >
> >
> >> On Jul 4, 2015, at 20:15, Philip Jenkins <n4hf.philip at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> I bought a D72A a little over a year ago because it had APRS built-in;
> this
> >> made it very handy for the balloon-chasing I used to do.
> >>
> >> Now I'm trying to set it up for SO-50. I'm successfully putting it into
> >> full-duplex mode - with the 144 Mhz freq (pl 67.0) on the B-band, and
> the
> >> 435 Mhz frequency on A-band. (Duplex cannot be engaged while the radio
> is
> >> on the A-band.) I'm running into two problems though.
> >>
> >> 1 ) Whenever I want to change the receive (downlink) frequency because
> of
> >> Doppler, turning the knob changes the B-band side, the transmit, which
> is
> >> what I don't want. As it is, since I can't get the 435Mhz to change,
> this
> >> setting is only going to allow me to hear the satellite mid-pass
> >>
> >> 2) I had the idea of putting this/these VFO settings - including duplex
> -
> >> into memories, one memory for each 5 Khz step on receive. When I follow
> the
> >> manual directions for entering odd splits in memory, whenever I check to
> >> see what's in the memory by transmitting, (it  appears)  I'm just
> >> transmitting simplex on the 435Mhz frequency; the radio's display
> doesn't
> >> change (other than the s-meter showing that power is being transmitted).
> >>
> >> I'm wondering how others are making their D72s work successfully on
> SO-50.
> >> Is/are there (a) certain step(s) that I'm missing in order to change the
> >> receive frequency AND enter full-duplex VFO settings into memory
> >> successfully?
> >>
> >> Thanks for the help...either replying to the BB or to me personally is
> ok. (
> >> N4HF at AMSAT.ORG)
> >>
> >> Philip N4HF EM85
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership.
> Opinions expressed
> > are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of
> AMSAT-NA.
> > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
> program!
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>
>