[amsat-bb] Antenna questions

[Greg D]

When things are loud, almost any antenna will work.  I think you will
find the LEO Pack will shine when you need to work a satellite that's a
bit harder to reach.  Uplink into AO-85, downlinks from AO-7 mode B,
FO-29, etc.  As long as you can aim the antennas, larger is pretty much
always better, and for satellites, circular is nearly always better than
linear. 

I've actually not been too impressed with the Elk's pattern, especially
outside the 2m band.  Been contemplating switching to an Arrow, but like
the Elk's configuration where both up and downlink bands in the same
polarization (so one doesn't have to do the wrist flipping thing).  I
also use the antenna at community support events, where I need to have
both bands available, and both needing to be vertically polarized.  So,
the Elk stays, but for at-home satellite operation, I always use the big
antennas, circularly polarized.

Greg  KO6TH


wa7dxz via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> I had previously used an ELK, with a az/el rotor. Seemed to work fine for ao91, ao92, so50, and fo29.Decided to upgrade to the M2 Leo Pack. It works fine, but frankly no better than my ELK.  Is the major. (only?) advantage of the m2 system the circular polarization? If I had to do it again, Im not sure I would have spent nearly $600 for the system, as opposed to my cheaper ELK, but, I thought more is better, any comments?Bob Wa7dxzDm33
>
> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb