[amsat-bb] New M2 LEO Antenna System

[Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)]

Clint,

How presumptuous of you to think I am "missing the point". If you
operated more often, you'd hear what many of us regularly experience
from those that have issues hearing SO-50's weak (250mW) downlink.
Many of those that have difficulties hearing SO-50 are already using
Arrows, Elks, or various homebrew equivalents. I know this from my
e-mail exchanges with many of these satellite operators, ready to
help them improve their operating situations. Other regular operators
also do the same thing, and all of us aren't looking for the public
praise and adulation in helping others. By the way, I thought your name
was "Clint", not "Allen".

Allen N5AFV is a long-time satellite operator with lots of experience
working satellites in many different locations with different combinations
of radios and antennas over the years. What Allen - and many of us
who have been on for a while - can do doesn't automatically translate
to something that works for everyone. My question about the number
of SO-50 QSOs logged with the HT/whip combination is not a slam
against Allen, but a simple question to get some context for that
number.

As for the ISS, it may be easy to *hear* the ISS downlinks with a whip,
but I wonder how many are actually *working* it - using the packet
digipeater, or trying to talk to a crewmember - with a telescoping whip
or long duckie. Again, context.  We may be able to work the Fox-1
satellites with those other antennas, given their 2m downlinks that
should be much easier to hear than what we have currently with SO-50.
Time will tell. If the AFC on the Fox-1 uplink receiver works as
advertised, coupled with the strong 2m downlinks, those satellites
should be very nice for the FM crowds. And I will probably try some
of those passes with the telescoping whips or long duckies, so I have
first-hand knowledge to share with others about how well they work
(or don't work) with the Fox-1 satellites.




Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/


On Sun, Mar 8, 2015 at 9:44 PM, Clint Bradford <clintbradford at mac.com> wrote:
>
> You are missing the point - ESPECIALLY with the ISS and the upcoming AMSAT-NA
> FOX-1A project with its 2M downlink, providing up to 400mW TX power, and approximately
> 6db stronger receive signal than having a 440 downlink.
>
> SO ... if one's more "simple" antenna is doing well now with SO-50 and the ISS, just
> imagine how exciting an educational project FOX-1A is going to be!