I didn't have a base satellite station when AO-40 was launched, and still don't have one now (really no need). However, it was amazing to copy AO-40's 2 meter telemetry when it was at apogee with just a simple 2 meter all mode rig, a 7 element beam pointed at the right diorection (no elevation control), no pre-amp and 45 feet of lossy RG-58 coax. At times it was a true S-4 on the meter. Since my antenna was linearly polarized, vertical, I could watch the signal dip a little as the bird was spinning.
73, Jeff WB3JFS ----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward R. Cole" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: "AMSAT-BB" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 3:51 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: AO40 contacts >I was on AO-40 from its launch, initially running mode US, then mode > LS (I bought one of the few DEMI 1268/144 Tx converters that were > made). I made several contacts after I got my s-band downlink > working. Initially, I was using too small an antenna and did not > have a decent preamp. Once I graduated to the 85cm (33-inch) offsst > feed dish and added a MKU-232 preamp, I was able to hear anyone. I > spent a long time collecting telemetry and could do so out to a > squint angle of 49-degrees. > > It really is a shame that there was no workaround for the battery > issue or even run on solar panels like AO7. But this was before AO7 > reawakened to provide that insight. I lived and waited long years > for AO-40 and unfortunately wasted time I could have operated on AO-13. > > Now I have all the stuff needed to work a Heo and hardly anywhere to > use it (I bought one of the early FT-847 just for AO-40). I would > say a lot of the operators of the Heo years have gone away from > satellite activity (some remain lurking on Amsat-bb wishing upon a > star ...or a hope and a prayer). > > I will return, if Murphy will leave me alone long enough! But I > mainly operate Oscar-Zero now days. > > 73, ED - KL7UW > > At 11:04 AM 2/3/2011, Floyd Rodgers wrote: >>Did anyone manage to bag any contacts off A040 before it's sad event? >>_______________________________________________ >>Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >>Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > > 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 > ====================================== > BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com > EME: 144-1.4kw*, 432-100w*, 1296-testing*, 3400-winter? > DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [email protected] > ====================================== > *temp not in service > _______________________________________________ > Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
