[amsat-bb] Warning Label, One Antenna To Do It All

[Wes Baden]

Newbie here--using satellites only for three weeks.  I'd appreciate Elmers
offering answers to my second question.  The first is asked in jest.

1. Shouldn't there be a warning label on AMSAT web sites and publications,
to the effect, "WARNING: Satellite operation is highly addictive"?  I've
been on the air for 63 years, and the fun I'm having is matched only by my
first year operating with a Heathkit AT-1 and Hallicrafters S38D on 40
meter CW.

2. More seriously, I currently am using 70cm and 144 MHz small yagis
mounted separately on tripods on my snow and ice covered deck, fixed at 230
degrees, which however has enabled me to make many contacts (and 16 states
so far).  I'm looking to put up "real" antennas in the spring, on a 40 foot
tower.  I've always been a "one antenna to do it all" guy on HF, and I
wonder if that also would be possible for both SAT and terrestrial VHF/UHF
QSOs, on CW, SSB and FM.  Needless to say, I realize that any such antenna
would represent a compromise, getting the job done ideally but certainly
not be the best performer on one particular band or mode.  Comments about
the M2 LEO Package?  Great for SAT, and only losing 3 dB, I believe, for
terrestrial communications.  And what about somewhat longer linear yagis
(not phased) on the same cross arm but slanted 90 degrees in relation to
each other?  So far, in my SAT work, I'm not seeing much in the way of
difference between vertical and horizontal polarization.  Presumably slant
polarization works fine on SAT too, and it also would still do the job on
both CW/SSB and FM where you definitely don't want to be 100% vertical
(CW/SSB) or 100% horizontal (FM) and therefor lose 20-30 dB of gain.

Many thanks for your collective wisdom and experience.

Wes NA1ME FN54