[amsat-bb] Trying to find my downlink

[B J]

On 7/18/16, Philip Chimento <vze275m9 at verizon.net> wrote:
> I have an IC-9100 using MacDoppler and hooked up to two home-brew Eggbeater
> II antennas. I have had a lot of trouble finding my downlink on pretty much
> all of the SSB satellites that I have tried; AO-7, FO-29, AO-73 and the XWs
> (2A, 2C and 2F). Does anyone have suggestions, strategies for finding the
> downlink (so I don’t wind up annoying everyone else by uselessly
> transmitting).

<snip>

I've got the same problem.  I first set my software (in my case,
Gpredict on Linux) to mid-band.  If there isn't anyone on frequency, I
start looking for my downlink.  If there is someone, though, I move
further up in the band so that I'm out of the way and won't cause any
interference.

I keep the uplink frequency steady and adjust my downlink.  For me,
the trick is finding what the offset from the nominal value is.  On a
new satellite, I start there and move up (or down, whichever the case
may be) slowly.  On ones I've been on before, I start at the
approximate offset.

I simply speak into my mike and announce who I am and the purpose for
my transmission until I find my signal.  I usually find it in a minute
or two.

I have to do it that way as I need to set up my station outside and I
have only two hands.  I hold my antenna with one and my PTT switch
with the other, keeping a finger or two free so that I can adjust my
software setting.  Operating a Morse key might be a touch difficult
when my hands are already full.

This has worked for me so far and I haven't yet figured out a way to
make it quicker or easier.

73s

Bernhard VA6BMJ @ DO33FL