[amsat-bb] New Duplexer and AO-85

[J. Boyd (JR2TTS)]

On Wed, 28 Oct 2015 01:06:40 -0400, "W3MAT ." <w3mat03 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I thought wrong.  This was just as bad, or as difficult, as trying to get
> in with the Arrow antenna. In my opinion, AO-85 is certainly not every hand
> held radio and Arrow antenna operators easy to work satellite, like posted
> on a YouTube video prior to its launch.  I'm not a big fan of the U/V set
> up for those of us that work hand held set ups.  

It is indeed an additional handicap for those of us with Arrows and HTs,
and it took me about four passes before I could get a grasp of what
uplink frequency to use at what stage of the pass. But I eventually got
in there. (I had a lot of noise behind me, but I was copyable.)

I agree that SO-50 is much easier to hit, but if there's one thing most
hams like, it's a challenge. If anything it's an incentive for me to
think about upgrading my gear.... :)

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