[amsat-bb] Operating SSB sats

[Ronald G. Parsons]

Umesh,

A question and comment on your statement:

> (b) Sometimes I hear a station calling CQ and it remains on the same
> frequency during successive CQs,

The method SatPC32 and HRD and others employ is keeping the “frequency at the satellite” a constant, varying your uplink and downlink frequencies as appropriate. In your statement above, do you mean by “on the same frequency” that you need not change your SatPC32 controlled frequency to remain tuned in to the CQing station? If so, then both of you are tuning to keep the “frequency at the satellite” a constant. This method is the preferred method of tuning for base stations. Mobile stations may not be able to do it. By keeping “frequency at the satellite” a constant, QSO’s with many participants can converse as easily as though they were on 20m.

Ron W5RKN

Umesh,

If you can tune around and always hear your own downlink on the correct
frequency, then you are doing everything right.

73,

Paul, N8HM

On Wed, Feb 6, 2019 at 12:42 PM k6vug at sbcglobal.net <k6vug at sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

> Good Morning All,
> I'd like to understand something that seems to be happening with SSB
> birds.
>
> I realize that they are two kinds of operators - one that has a computer
> controlled station and one that tunes manually, and I respect both types.
> The following observation is about two computer controlled stations working
> via a SSB satellite -
>
> (a) My station is computer controlled (SatPC32 or HRD) and can hear myself
> on the downlink throughout the pass.  I can also go up or down the pass
> band and still hear myself without needing to retune the uplink.   It is
> pretty rock solid, almost like HF operation.
>
> (b) Sometimes I hear a station calling CQ and it remains on the same
> frequency during successive CQs, so I'm guessing their station is also
> computer controlled.  I can tune in and stay on their calling frequency.
>
> (c) However, when I can respond, it seems they have to tune their downlink
> a bit to hear me well.  So when they come back to my response, they are a
> bit off-frequency (about 300Hz) and sound like Mickey Mouse, until I retune
> the downlink to hear them well again.  This keeps happening throughout the
> QSO.
>
> (d) This "drifting" happens only with some stations calling CQ and not
> everyone.
>
> Considering both stations are computer controlled at each end, I'm trying
> to understand if I'm doing anything wrong/incorrect.  Learning to operate
> SSB sats has been humbling as well as exciting, I'd appreciate any pointers
> for this situation. Thanks in advance.
>
>
> 73!
> Umesh
> k6vug
>
>