[amsat-bb] SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations

[Bob Keating]

Hi Ian,
I use a nifty little app on my iPhone called HamSat. You can download the data for each satellite you want to work, program in your location or let the app do it for you if you have Locations Services turned on, and then select the passes that will be visible in your area. With Location Services turned on, the app will give you a real time tracking of the satellite on sort of a "compass rose" from AOS to LOS. I find this to be a huge help in tracking the bird and knowing where to aim my antenna. The app will even make an entry on your iPhone calendar as to when a pass you select is occurring. 
BTW, my setup is ever so humble... I use a Yeasu FT-60 for the downlink and a Baofeng UV-5R for transmit going full duplex to my Arrow II antenna. I use a compact TASCAM digital recorder between the FT-60 and my headphones to record the pass so I can log everything accurately later. Hope this helps.
73,
Bob N6REK

-----Original Message-----
From: AMSAT-BB [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On Behalf Of K5ZM
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2019 1:11 PM
To: amsat-bb at amsat.org
Subject: [amsat-bb] SO-50 and AO-91 trials and tribulations

Hi all….

 

After having been licensed since ’75, I’m finally cultivating an interest in the FM sats -the other modes can come later. Been doing a ton of reading and YouTubing from various sources over the past two weeks or so -Space Comms; WD9EWK; AMSAT website, etc. Plenty of good material out there. Tnx to all who have put it out there over the years. 

 

‘Baby steps’ has been a very appropriate term with which I’d describe the results of my first 4 attempts at working the birds. First three attempts were with S0-50. If nothing else, that first time proved to be a huge learning experience. As to pointing the antenna, I was everywhere but where I was supposed to be! Second time out, I’d gotten my head round the antenna issue but had forgotten to enable tones! Third time out, I had everything(?) right but could never hear myself on the downlink no matter where I was in the doppler adjustment sequence. 

 

Just attempted the 2010z pass of A0-91. It was a nearly overhead pass and was able to hear a number of stations quite nicely but, as before, I was never able to hear myself on the downlink. As such, that first sat Q has eluded me once again 😉. At least I knew enough to not to change VFOs when making my doppler adjustments for this one! 

 

I’ve a Kenwood TH D72 and the Arrow II 146/437 10wBP. As I mentioned, I’m quite sure I’ve configured the rig correctly. In no particular order…..

‘transmit on B’: check

Enable tones (again, on VFO B): check -67.0 hz

Enable full duplex ( “ ): check

Squelch open on VFO A: check

For S0-50, adjust for doppler on VFO A: check

For AO-91, adjust for doppler on VFO B: check

Probably a couple other things I’m aware of but can’t recall just now. 

 

The one thing I’ve not messed with is the Audio Balance -it’s still at the default 50/50 setting. Could this be why I’ve not been able to hear myself? Is it that critical? 

 

I’m also using a Heil HTH headset with the Kenwood K1 connector. I can already tell this isn’t the way to go for me. I’ll likely move toward phones and either use the onboard mic or an external handheld mic. I’ve tested the whole combination on various a couple of repeaters around town and haven’t had a problem, so I’m convinced something else is keeping me from hearing myself on the downlink. 

 

Baby steps, indeed. 

 

73

 

Ian, K5ZM 

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