[amsat-bb] Just received UAH ARISS contact - much harder to rx than normal. Arrow antenna problem?

[Bill Dillon]

I had more trouble than I recall the last time I picked up the ISS, but
that was last June, and I think the Russians were making the contact.  I
caught a few words during the pass, but it was only near the end of the
pass (in Houston), with the ISS about ten degrees or so above the horizon
that I heard an answer to a question about what stars look like from space.

73, --Bill, KG5FQX

PS  As a bonus I was able to catch a pass of SO-50 about a half-hour later.
 :-)

On Fri, Feb 19, 2016 at 12:28 PM, John Brier <johnbrier at gmail.com> wrote:

> I'm not comparing the signal to the 20-25 watt Kenwood in the Russian
> segment. The Russians haven't done any US contacts since last summer AFAIK,
> but it is waaayyy stronger, for sure.
>
> The idea that it was solar panels or orientation might explain it but I did
> have difficulty through most of the pass. You.would think signal strength
> would change through the pass if it were solar panels at least. Hmm.
>
> KG4AKV
> On Feb 19, 2016 1:18 PM, "Daniel Cussen" <dan at post.com> wrote:
>
> > The default is to use the handheld from the Columbus module. In some
> > cases a mobile rig from the russian segment is used which is much
> > stronger. The orientation of the ISS and the movements of solar panels
> > also make a difference. So normally the same radio/antenna combination
> > as the packet is used, so coverage/signal should be similar.
> >
> > Which contact are you comparing the signal to (date/time)? What was
> > the max elevation of that contact and what was your max elevation this
> > time?
> >
> > (There is a plan to replace the faulty mobile rig in the colombus
> > module at some stage)
> >
> > On 19/02/2016, JoAnne K9JKM <joanne.k9jkm at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > It sounded to me like the ISS was using the 5 watt Ericsson HT instead
> of
> > > the higher power Kenwood rig. I've noticed that the signal strength
> > varies
> > > with the position of the ISS with respect to my station when working
> > packet
> > > via their HT. I'm running on a vertical until the weather improves to
> get
> > > my
> > > yagi back up.
> > >
> > > --
> > > 73 de JoAnne K9JKM
> > > k9jkm at amsat.org
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