[amsat-bb] AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 14, Issue 296 (Waving an antenna)

Fri Aug 2 21:00:03 UTC 2019

IMHO, there is no need to get OCD over this issue. The SATs are
spinning/turning constantly and the polarization is changing
constantly. And, whatever the polarization is at YOUR location
is no assurance that it is the same at any other location. How
strong the signal is, therefore, is not how strong it is at some
other location. Orient your antenna as well as you can to hear
yourself as best you can. But, don't drive yourself crazy since
things usually don't change all that fast. I have been using my
Arrow on a tripod for quite a few years with good success. I
adjust the AZ/EL/Polarization every few minutes as needed
and use the rest of the time on a pass to tune the radio, key the
mic, sip coffee, etc. Most of the time, aiming & turning is not
as critical as it may seem. Relax & Enjoy!!

GL/73,    Bob  K8BL              (AMSAT #6593 since 1979)

On Friday, August 2, 2019, 11:59:46 AM EDT, Michael via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote: 

You miss the point. Of course there is room for all types and not once 
did I suggest that anyone using a handheld antenna is some sort of "low 
life". I'm just saying that IMO the easysat mentality has been run in 
the ground as a selling point for this branch of the hobby. AMSAT needs 
to break out of that mold and do something new! I'm begging! But, it 
falls on deaf ears. BTW, that doesn't mean pie in the sky stuff that 
everyone knows has no chance to come to  fruition. I'm not that 
gullible. I'll crawl back in my hole now, lurk on the reflector and hope 
for better days when we are pushing the envelope again rather than 
becoming an also ran. I guess my dues money and paltry donations  don't 
make a difference to the organization. None the less, I will continue to 
withhold them till I see some change, although I won't be holding my 
breath! Again, just one man's opinion but if we just continue to 
maintain the status quo as it stands now, I see a dim future for this 
organization. Sigh...

73,

Michael, W4HIJ

> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 1 Aug 2019 18:31:07 +0000 (UTC)
> From: Brad Smith <corlissbs at aol.com>
> To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
> Subject: [amsat-bb] Waving An Antenna
> Message-ID: <1624430397.216251.1564684267582 at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> <I don't mean to suggest there's anything wrong with easy. I just think,
> as a selling point, it's run it's course is all. How many times are you
> going to watch a guy at a hamfest with an HT and a handheld? antenna
> exchange grid squares? I would think sooner or later people just walk on
> by.? "Seen it already, where's the new rigs?" >
> There is room in this hobby for all types of radio/satellite contact. I have recently introduced two other hams to satellites by "waving an antenna." They both bought Arrow 2 antennas and now are having great fun with the birds. If I had a rotor system on a tripod, these people would have passed it up as too complicated. Our ham club is going to build our own stressed moxon antennas so everyone can work the birds. Depending if one is trying to get people into the satellite hobby or dazzle them with technology, one has to tailor the display to the crowd. Yes, I belong to the KISS club. (Keep It Simple Stupid) But on the other hand, I do work the SSB birds, receive SSTV images from the ISS and am learning to send packets. I welcome the new ideas. If I have to buy a new radio, so be it. If I have to pay for some air time, so be it. If I have a learning curve, so be it. But I still will be the low life out there waving an Arrow 2 antenna because it is fun, gets the job done, and still gi
>  ves me a thrill. And all my neighbors think I should have a tin foil hat as I stand in my yard with my antenna in the air.? Brad KC9UQR
>
>
>
>

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