[amsat-bb] XW-2A and Other Roads Less Travelled

[Ted Krempa]

Thanks, Hasan...

Any tips on set up for the Console software?

73, Ted
K7TRK

-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On Behalf Of Hasan al-Basri
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2019 2:30 PM
To: Les Rayburn
Cc: AMSAT-BB; Work-Sat at yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] XW-2A and Other Roads Less Travelled

KB7IJ and I are very active on XW-2A, 2B, 2C, as well as CAS-4A and CAS-4B.
We operate SSB usually a bit below the "standard" center band pair because
we experience some pretty strong WIFI/router interference in the "normal"
area.

What we have found is there are a LOT of people who don't listen anywhere
but their favorite watering hole. The primary reason is they are using
conventional radios on the downlink. This is a significant handicap. IN In
fact, one might as well be operating while wearing a blind fold.

Anyone who is serious about sat ops should invest in an SDR and use it to
receive. You can see the entire passband all the time. I can't tell you how
many times I'v e heard people say there is no one on the birds...when in
fact, people are  there calling CQ.  Or, like me,  reciting az and el,
polarity and signal strength (which I am recording with the SDR software,
btw).

If you get an SDR and run the SDRC v3.0.x software, you will find full sat
capability, including the ability to control an external radio for uplink.
Automatic doppler, everything you could want, pass prediction, real time
AZ/EL map display, etc.

If you have never run an SDR for sat work with good software (which is
free), you have no idea how unaware you are of what is happening on and
around these birds.

There is a LOT going on that is being missed by being chained to old
technology.

...and I'm not denying that empty passes exist. They do. I have called CQ
for entire passes. Once I notice the lack of activity. I turn on the audio
recording (which is nothing but the press of a button in the software) and
collect data on the effects of polarization, obstructions, vegetative
losses, etc. It is quite easy, just recite the current conditions and and
let the software do the work.

Having operated with standard high quality radios back in the days of
AO-6/7/8/10/13 and 40, I can simply state, there is NO comparison in
operating capabilities and convenience between traditional radios for
satellite downlinks vs. SDRs.

Check them out, they are not expensive.  You will never go back once you
have used an SDR with decent software for your satellite downlink. Seeing
IS believing!

73, N0AN
Hasan


On Tue, Jan 29, 2019 at 10:35 PM Les Rayburn <les at highnoonfilm.com> wrote:

> I’m a bit of a nomad, and have always enjoyed taking the roads less
> travelled. That applies to my hobby as well—those of us who work VHF are a
> fairly rare bunch. Those who work satellites; not often spotted in the
> wild.
>
> But apparently, rarer still are those who enjoy making contacts on
> satellites that are not AO-91, A0-92, SO-50, and FO-29.
>
> Working from home today, so I got on nearly every satellite pass over the
> United States. Alternated between calling CQ and searching for others to
> work.
>
> The results of working eight different passes? Four contacts for the day.
> Two on SO-50, one each on AO-91 and FO-29.
>
> Called CQ on XW-2A at dinner time. High elevation pass. Good strong
> downlink the entire pass from horizon to horizon. Nada…
>
> It did net me an SWL report from Mark Gluch, KB3CI who heard me loud and
> clean in EN82 near Detroit. He doesn’t have the transmit side working yet
> for the linear birds, but will soon.
>
> Ditto on AO-7, a whole pass on FO-29 this morning, and at least three of
> the XW birds.
>
> Last weekend, I listed to the L band activity on AO-91 and there was a ton
> more activity there than I heard today. (I’m working on getting the 1296
> Yagi up so I can join you folks.)
>
> We’ve got a sky full of great satellites that perform well. Let’s use
> them.
>
> 73,
>
> Les Rayburn, N1LF
> 121 Mayfair Park
> Maylene, AL 35114
> EM63nf
>
> Member WTFDA, IRCA, NRC. Former CPC Chairman for NRC & IRCA.
>
> Elad FDM-S2 SDR, AirSpy SDR2, SDRPlay RSP-2 Pro, Sony XDR-F1HD [XDR Guy
> Modified], Dennon TU-1500RD, Sangean HDT-1X, Ray Dees RDS Decoders, Korner
> 9.2 Antenna, FM-6 Antenna, Kitz Technologies KT-501 Pre-amps, Quantum
> Phaser, Wellbrook ALA1530 Loop, Wellbrook Flag, Clifton Labs Active Whip.
>
> “Nothing but blues and Elvis, and somebody else’s favorite song…”
>
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_______________________________________________
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