[amsat-bb] Recent AO-85 Observations

[Clayton W5PFG]

For the past several days, I have observed the following:

- On ascending passes, I can activate the transponder at AOS very 
easily.  Either polarity V or H works.

- Previously, I needed 10-15 degrees at times on ascending passes to 
activate the transponder.  As I approached TCA, the challenge getting in 
always went away and I could get into the transponder easily.

- Descending passes have never been an issue for me. I could access the 
transponder at AOS and activate the transponder as low as 0.1 degrees 
elevation.

- Downlink receive polarity seems to flip almost constantly or be equal 
at times.  I'm running a V or H antenna configuration (not RHCP or LHCP.)

- Suspected reason is the spacecraft's spin rate has changed with it now 
in constant sun.

- As a result I'm hearing some newer stations working AO-85 with 
handheld transceivers.  I've worked 2 new stations in the last 2 days 
who emailed me directly after the pass stating they were seeing some 
success with an HT.

Thoughts/comments?

73
Clayton
W5PFG