[amsat-bb] suitable omni antenna for FM sats?

Sat May 11 22:18:32 UTC 2019

Hi Stephen,

   another operator had suggested the handheld antenna, but that
wouldn't work well trying to operate outside in the dark with mitts on
in winter :-(  You'd freeze your *@^!@ off just from standing still,
and trying to work with gloves - well you get the idea.

   The practical solution is an indoor station with computer rotator
control of azimuth.  A satellite with a high elevation would have a
footprint over sparsely populated areas where there is little chance to
talk to anyone but yourself.  Actually I took advantage of that when I
got back into satellites, a little practice when I knew that no one
could hear me but I could hear my downlink signal.

   I had anticipated that they may not get the required 80% on the exam
to get HF access, so I sent the book up a couple of months ahead of
them writing the exam.  They work in city administration and right now,
with spring thaw and very long daylight hours, they are busy at work,
which should slow down before summer.

   So much has been invested by her, VY0YL, I want to do what I can to
be an encouragement.

      Ron VE8RT

On Sat, 11 May 2019 20:41:02 +0000
"Stephen  E. Belter via AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:

> Thanks for sending them the Getting Started With Amateur Satellites book.
> 
> Chapter 4, Your Antenna System covers both omni and directional antennas.  There is additional information in Appendix B, Upgrading Your Antenna System. 
> 
> For grid DP79, I’d look hard at a dual band Yagi with a fixed elevation (maybe 10-20 degrees) with an azimuth rotor, *if* a handheld antenna isn’t practical.  
> 
> I’ve operated satellites with a standard Arrow Antenna from BP40/50-53/61/64/83 and CP04/20/30/40.  Not quite as far north as DP79, but still a fair distance from the lower 48 states. 
> 
> 73, Steve N9IP
> --
> Steve Belter, seb at wintek.com
> 
> 
> > On May 11, 2019, at 4:13 PM, John Kludt via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> > 
> > Ron,
> > 
> > Everything Jeff days is true.  But some of us live in covenant restricted settings and an omni is much easier to sneak in under the radar.  I have switched back and forth between eggbeaters and various verticals.  So far 88 grids.  Three points:
> > 
> > 1) Pay attention to ERP.  You are going to need a little more uplink power to make up for the lack of Tx antenna gain.
> > 2) Always, always use a preamp at the antenna on 435 down links
> > 3) Be patient.  This is a compromise solution and you are not going to knock them down every pass.
> > 
> > If it is all you can do go ahead.  Better to be on the air working the birds as best you can than doing nothing at all.
> > 
> > John
> > 
> > Sent from my Verizon Motorola Smartphone
> >> On May 11, 2019 00:34, Jeff Moore via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> >> 
> >> As was stated multiple times in a very recent thread - omnis for sat work 
> >> are a poor compromise!!    Even a small beam at a 15-degree angle will 
> >> generally blow most omnis off the roof! Even better would be a pair of 
> >> beams (one for uplink, one for downlink) on an azimuth/elevation rotor! 
> >> But handheld can work almost as good!! 
> >> 
> >> 7   3 
> >> Jeff Moore   ---   KE7ACY 
> >> CN94 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> On Fri, May 10, 2019 at 10:08 PM Ron VE8RT via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> 
> >> wrote: 
> >> 
> >>>     We have a newly licenced amateur in DP79.  Because they fell a few 
> >>> points of getting their Basic with Honours they do not have HF 
> >>> privileges, their only way to communicate with the outside world is via 
> >>> satellite.  Anticipating this possible outcome, that they may not get 
> >>> access to the HF bands, I sent them a hard copy, (no home internet, and 
> >>> its slow and expensive there if you do have it), of the current copy of 
> >>> "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites".  As we're heading into the 
> >>> time of year to do any outside work, the most pressing question is what 
> >>> is the best compromise antenna for a base station.   Keeping in mind 
> >>> their location, in order to work anyone they'll have to get into the 
> >>> satellites while the satellite is close to their horizon, otherwise the 
> >>> satellite footprint will not cover areas with any satellite operators. 
> >>> 
> >>>     Ron VE8RT in DP22 
> >>> 
> >>> -- 
> >>> Ron VE8RT <ve8rt at yknwt.ca> 
> >>> _______________________________________________ 
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> >> _______________________________________________ 
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> > _______________________________________________
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> > to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
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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!
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-- 
Ron VE8RT <ve8rt at yknwt.ca>