[amsat-bb] Tuning above 435.360 MHz when working AO-92 U/V??

[Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK)]

Hi!

A couple of weeks ago, when I started using my old Icom IC-W32A on the FM
satellites again, I saw that I was having to tune up to 435.365 MHz on the
AO-92 U/V uplink to get through near my LOS. I didn't think much about it
then, since the radio is at least 15 years old. It worked, even with the
additional tuning step, and did a decent job on AO-91 and AO-92 (U/V). It's
one of the later W32A models, with a 7-digit serial number that doesn't
include any capabilities to receive at 800 MHz, and doesn't work SO-50
full-duplex.

I was on AO-92 U/V earlier this week using my TH-D72 HT. On one pass Monday
morning, I found that I had to tune up to 435.365 MHz near the end of a
pass to get through the satellite. This was the first time I could recall
having to do this with my TH-D72. I asked about this on Twitter and the
QRZ satellite forum; a few others have noticed the same thing.

I am now finding that when I work AO-92 U/V, I don't stay on 435.340 MHz
very long. Maybe a minute or so, about the same amount of time I have been
on 435.365 MHz before LOS. I spend a similar amount of time on the other
4 tuning steps for AO-92 U/V (435.345 through 435.360 MHz). Once I saw
this, it is not a big deal to be prepared to use a 6th tuning step on my
radios. This is a relatively new thing, as I wasn't having to tune above
435.360 MHz a year ago - or even 3-4 months ago - when working AO-92 U/V.

For those using HTs or FM mobile radios to work AO-92 U/V, does anyone else
find they are having to transmit above 435.360 MHz late in those passes to
get through? If you're using something like an IC-910 or IC-9100, where are
your radios ending up when working AO-92 U/V? Or an alternative question...
what are you using as the nominal uplink frequency for AO-92 U/V?

Thanks, and 73!





Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK