[amsat-bb] AO-7 Mode B Questions (difficulty getting in)

[Roy Dean]

Hi all.

I'm hoping for some suggestions to help me "get in" to AO-7 mode B.

So far, my experience is as follows (on any pass, regardless of elevation):
No matter what my output setting is on my IC-706MKIIG, I can only just
barely get into the transponder.   Even on a good day, when I am seeing
multiple strong CW and SSB QSO's happening on the waterfall, my uplink can
only just barely be seen, let alone heard.   The 706MKIIG ouputs 20W on
UHF, and checking with a wattmeter - it seems to be spot on (using FM -
could SSB be performing differently?).   I've hooked up my M2 UHF cross
yagi to an SWR meter, and it comes in at less than 1.5.   I can get into
all the other linears with relative ease.

My UHF crossed dipole is supposed to be RHCP (if I connected everything
correctly), and I believe that the 70cm Rx antenna on AO-7 is also CP,
correct?   But is it RH or LH?    And does anybody know of a RHCP UHF
downlink on a satellite that I can use to to positively confirm my UHF
cross yagi polarization?

Any other suggestions welcome.

FYI - I am using an RTL-SDR.com V3 dongle on receive, with GQRX controlled
by Gpredict - this setup actually works pretty well for me on all the other
linears, believe it or not!   I am positive that this is NOT an Rx issue on
my end because I can see other strong QSOs in the waterfall - just not my
own.   So I believe this is an issue with my Tx.

--Roy
K3RLD