[amsat-bb] LilacSat-1 - First QSO

[Paul Stoetzer]

Thanks to KB1PVH for my first QSO on LilacSat-1. It's really not that
tough if you follow the steps to get the Linux live CD image up and
running.

My own audio quality was poor, either due to signal strength or lack
of Doppler compensation on the uplink. I'll have to try tweaking that,
but it was fun. KB1PVH's signal was easily readable on the 15 degree
maximum elevation pass.

My setup for receiving the downlink was an Arrow antenna, preamp,
FUNcube Dongle Pro+, and a 4 year old Dell laptop running the Linux
Live CD. I used my FT-817 on the uplink so I could make fine
adjustments on the uplink frequency.

I have read lots of comments from individuals wanting to try something
new. This certainly qualifies! LilacSat-1 was deployed from the ISS,
so it will have a limited orbital lifetime. Work it while it's up
there.

For more information on how to set it all up, K0FFY has prepared a
nice guide. http://adamwhitney.net/working-lilacsat-1/

73,

Paul, N8HM