[amsat-bb] Kenwood D72 on SO-50

Sun Jul 5 14:10:53 UTC 2015

Thanks, Frank (and others)

I bought the KHS-22 headset a couple of months ago JUST for satellite use.

I did successfully use two radios a couple of years ago (which got much
easier after I learned I didn't have to adjust the 2M uplink as well as the
downlink), and I thought it would just be easier to have it all in one
radio package.

I was hoping the D72 would be more hands-free, but it still looks like I
need at least 3 hands (one for the Arrow antenna, one to change frequencies
on the radio, and another for the PTT switch on the headset :-) ) It sounds
like EO-80 will be TOO easy to operate through, other than manually moving
the antenna. :-)

Thanks again for all the advice, both on the BB and personal emails. I may
try SO-50 with this new knowledge later this afternoon.

Philip N4HF

On Sat, Jul 4, 2015 at 10:57 PM, Frank Krizan <frank.krizan at verizon.net>
wrote:

> Philip,
>
> I always use the DUP function for satellite work.  And, I always use a
> headset (ear-bud and mic).  The Kenwood HT headset (I have the discontinued
> HMC-3; the KHS-22 is the current model) has served me well for many years.
>
> From the Packet Section of the D72A Manual:
> "Note:
>
> * When the operating band is Band A, you cannot change to Full Duplex mode.
>
> * When in single band mode, and Band A/B is set to VHF/VHF or UHF/UHF, you
> cannot change to Full Duplex mode.
>
> * When using the Full Duplex function, connect an earphone to the SP jack.
> Using an earphone will prevent feedback that can cause the transceiver to
> emit a howling sound.”
>
> 73, Frank K5HS
>
>
> > On Jul 4, 2015, at 21:49, Philip Jenkins <n4hf.philip at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > 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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> >>>> 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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> >>>
> >>> _______________________________________________
> >>> 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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> >>
> >>
> > _______________________________________________
> > 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!
> > Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
>