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Satellites

W1MSG

W1MSG

Now W1MSG
May 9, 2010
499
18
28
MA
I just watched Moleculo's video on Satellites, awesome video. I will probably get one of the arrow antennas in the near future. I did make a contact on AO-51 6/5/2010 at 0632hrs .. That was really cool, just need a better antenna.

This web site has been a wealth of info and has rekindled my interest in Ham Radio.

Thanks

73's Craig W1MED
 

Arrow Antenna

I decided to order one myself to use with the VX-8DR and eventually with my FT-897D. Their website says they're catching up on orders and you can;t order from them. I ordered from Universal Radio and it's coming tomorrow.

I sure wish I could buy the carry case/bag they offered...apparently it is not sold any longer??? Anyone know where to get something similar or if they actually do sell them when they're open for orders.

And yes, Moleculo's vidoe started me off on this and I found other videos that were helpful as well.

Thanks- I am sure I'll have questions once I get further along.
 
I have the carry bag they offered and it is really, really nice. It was a little pricey, but nice. I'm glad I have it :) :) I saw a post in the past where someone took an old pair of denim jeans and had the pant leg sewed together to make a carry case. That wouldn't be very expensive to get someone to make for you.
 
Just got back from HRO with my new Arrow antenna, hope to work the AO-27 around 14:30, should be able to do it no problem now.

Quick question, when using the VX-8 series radios, is it better to use one band for RX and the other for TX or just do a split on one band ?
 
w1med said:
Just got back from HRO with my new Arrow antenna, hope to work the AO-27 around 14:30, should be able to do it no problem now.

Quick question, when using the VX-8 series radios, is it better to use one band for RX and the other for TX or just do a split on one band ?
Click to expand...


I tried it both ways and found it much easier using a series of odd splits programmed into the memories. The reason was that your 2 meter TX frequency doesn't need to shift, but your RX 440 does. So, if you try to use both bands and just shift the RX, you have keep pressing buttons to switch the bands back and forth. It's a pain.
 
w1med said:
Just got back from HRO with my new Arrow antenna, hope to work the AO-27 around 14:30, should be able to do it no problem now.

Quick question, when using the VX-8 series radios, is it better to use one band for RX and the other for TX or just do a split on one band ?
Click to expand...

You must have figured it out, I heard you on AO-51 at about 5:06 your time.

Sounds like my arrow should show up on Tuesday

Moleculo's video makes it look easy but he has posted that his antenna is on the satellite:lol:
 
Qwazyone said:
You must have figured it out, I heard you on AO-51 at about 5:06 your time.

Sounds like my arrow should show up on Tuesday

Moleculo's video makes it look easy but he has posted that his antenna is on the satellite:lol:
Click to expand...

Thats awesome, someone heard me :lol: Yup I managed to work the AO-27, AO-51 and I just finished on the SO-50 so today was a success !!

The antenna makes all the difference in the world, I am also using a set of iPod ear buds and took the remote mic off, I was getting tangled up :blushing: ..

I use the orbitron software to do the tracking, its by far the easiest I found and does a decent job. I also use my wifes 40 year old Girl Scout compass to get my azimuths.

So whats your call so I can listen out for ya ??
 
w1med said:
Thats awesome, someone heard me :lol: Yup I managed to work the AO-27, AO-51 and I just finished on the SO-50 so today was a success !!

The antenna makes all the difference in the world, I am also using a set of iPod ear buds and took the remote mic off, I was getting tangled up :blushing: ..

I use the orbitron software to do the tracking, its by far the easiest I found and does a decent job. I also use my wifes 40 year old Girl Scout compass to get my azimuths.

So whats your call so I can listen out for ya ??
Click to expand...

AB9RU, If i hear you or moleculo once I get my antenna, I will probably mention your first name and possibly this website(WWDX). The HO-68 satellite should be an easy one to work if you watch their on/off schedule, I've had a few high passes when they had the repeater shut off:crying:

I thought it was great when I heard whiskey one mike echo delta, I dont even recall the callsigns from the couple of stations that replied:oops:
 
Qwazyone said:
AB9RU, If i hear you or moleculo once I get my antenna, I will probably mention your first name and possibly this website(WWDX). The HO-68 satellite should be an easy one to work if you watch their on/off schedule, I've had a few high passes when they had the repeater shut off:crying:

I thought it was great when I heard whiskey one mike echo delta, I dont even recall the callsigns from the couple of stations that replied:oops:
Click to expand...

When are you expecting the antenna ?? I'm pretty lucky to have an HRO an hour away, my wallet isnt so lucky !

I didnt get a single contact call sign, I may want to get a recorder to record my sessions, then decipher it all over coffee :tongue_smilie: I just cant keep up with all the chatter.

I hadnt touched a radio in a couple of years, well since I got back from the sand box in 2007, but the Satellite stuff is just too cool ! It has me interested in the whole HAM scene again. All my other hobbies usually take up all of my free time, especially the Dirt Bike Racing ! At 51 years young you would think I would calm down a bit (NOT) ..:w00t:
 
Qwazyone said:
the antenna is supposed to arrive on june 15, and I wish I had more time for fishing walleye

I am grateful for what you have done to serve your country, God Bless and 73
Click to expand...

Ah the 15th, back to work for me. Maybe I will take the antenna to work and try to work a few from there, I'll look awful stupid out on the Parade field with that antenna :w00t:

Thanks for the kind words, I will be hanging the uniform up for good October 5th 2011. Its been a long 30+ years :redface:
 
Just worked the AO-51, best pass so far at 0651 local. Nice and clear and made a contact, too bad I am having so much trouble keeping up with call signs and grids, its so busy on the sats its really hard to keep up.

Moleculo, again Thanks for the helpful video and advice on working the Sats, this is alot of fun !

Also worked the SO-50 at 1025 the AO-27 at 1401 today ...
 
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I thought I may have heard you again at about 1630 EDT, but all I heard was the suffix, mike echo delta, the only other I heard was an alpha alpha tango and someone said there wasn't much traffic on this pass. I would bet all the sats are this way, the ARRL June VHF contest started at noon eastern today. I listened to a good pass of HO-68 at 1300 eastern, it was actually on for a 41 degree pass, too bad it shuts off the FM repeater on Monday and goes back to the linear transponder for a while. Not a big deal, I'm back to work on Monday for a couple weeks and then another full week off
 

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