[amsat-bb] Tripod for Arrow

[Bryan KL7CN]

I started with a tripod I bought at the local thrift store (Goodwill) for $10. It was not suitable for camera work, but did just fine for satellite work.

The tripod helped a lot when I used an HT and attempted to write everything on a notepad.

It was like training wheels on a bicycle! While I was learning, it made all the difference.

I noticed after some time -- and watching YouTube videos of satellite operations -- that all the experienced operators did not use a tripod. They held the antenna in their hand.

So, I thought I would try it.

Getting an inline audio recorder and a head set helped quite a bit. I have heard that a foot switch is also quite helpful.

And, after not much time at all, I became quite comfortable using the Arrow using only one hand. It is much, much better for matching axial rotation. And, it gives you a feel for the satellite when you twist your wrist and hear the difference in the audio signal -- in my case, it is now automatic, like driving a car, to hand-orient the antenna while adjusting for Doppler and glancing at the tracking software on the smartphone.

An improvement I would very much like to make is to modify the Arrow's boom to be a LidStick, a la Mike W8LID's excellent idea:
https://twitter.com/w8lid/status/976267117183033346?lang=en

So, get a tripod but plan on using it only for a while. You will want to switch to full manual after not much time. :)

-- bag

Bryan KL7CN/W6
Location: CM98, usually
E-Mail: bryan at KL7CN.net
Telephone/SMS: 408-836-7279

> On Apr 24, 2019, at 06:26, Chris Pohlad-Thomas via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> 
> Can anyone please provide a recommendation on a tripod to use with an Arrow
> II? I want to make sure I find something that can handle the weight and do
> a 90 degree turn.
> 
> Chris
> KC1E
> 
> -- 
> Chris Pohlad-Thomas