Sorry, I forgot to say it makes a difference because of Magnetic Declination - the difference between magnetic north and true north.
On Wed, May 22, 2013 at 6:37 AM, Rolf Krogstad <[email protected]>wrote: > Jim makes a good point. Know where the points of the compass are. > > And, depending on where you are located, that is not as simple as just > taking out a compass. > It can make a fair amount of difference if you are in the western states > of the US and not so much, if any, if you are in some place like Pensacola, > Florida. > > NOAA has a calculator: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag-web/#declination > > 73 > Rolf NR0T > EN34 > Amsat-NA #38889 > > > On Tue, May 21, 2013 at 11:39 PM, Jim Jerzycke <[email protected]> wrote: > >> You're definitely approaching it in the right way, Bill! >> >> An FT-847 is an excellent satellite rig, and in combination with a small >> gain antenna, will be an excellent station. >> >> The 50 Watts the '847 provides is more than enough RF power, even with >> the Arrow, or similar Elk, antenna. >> >> A preamps are highly recommended, especially with a smaller antenna. >> >> Use a diplexer "in reverse" to help get rid of desense. It's more >> important than you'd think. >> >> >> http://www.amsat.org/amsat-**new/articles/Mode-J/<http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/Mode-J/> >> >> A few other tips to help you....... >> >> If you're going to be running tracking software, like SatPC32, make SURE >> your PC has the correct time set! >> >> An error of 10~15 seconds may not sound like much, but it can cause you >> point your antennas wrong, and ruin a pass. >> >> Same with your Lat/Lon. I use a GPS, which also supplies an accurate >> clock to the laptop, but a lot of people get by with just using grid >> squares. >> >> Know precisely *WHERE* North, South. East, and West are at your station >> location. >> >> You'd be surprised how many people don't, and then can't find the sats as >> they come up over the horizon. >> >> Have a helper to point the antenna, as you'll be busy doing the "Doppler >> Dance". >> >> Again, if you run SatPC32, the Doppler correction is fed to the rig, and >> it's one less manual operation to split your limited time amongst. >> >> Keep the TenTec on the shelf, in the collection. >> >> And as somebody else pointed out, get started setting up and practicing >> NOW!! >> >> If you wait until Field Day weekend, you'll wind up extremely frustrated, >> with few or no contacts! >> >> I know, as I used to do it that way every year. I think the best I ever >> got was three contacts one year. >> >> The next year I started two months early, and I made THIRTY FIVE contacts >> that year, just because: >> >> I didn't forget anything at home, requiring numerous unnecessary trips >> back and forth (I also bought some Tupperware tubs to keep all the >> satellite stuff in!) >> >> Everything worked because I had six weekends to practice setting up and >> operating before Field Day, ensuring all the bugs were worked out >> >> I was a lot more comfortable using the station because I knew it all >> worked, and the stress level was much lower. >> >> Good luck, get going, and listen for K6AA on Field Day, and KQ6EA the >> weeks before while I'm practicing! >> >> 73, Jim KQ6EA >> >> >> >> On 05/21/2013 08:09 PM, Bill W1PA wrote: >> >>> I may set up a Field Day satellite station for our local club. I haven't >>> done >>> this in a while.... my last experience with a non-FM bird was AO-40. >>> >>> I'd like to avoid the futility of the FM LEO's on FD, and look to the >>> working passband birds, which I understand are AO-7, FO-29, and VO-52. >>> >>> I have at my disposal a FT-847, an Arrow satellite antenna (V/U), and if >>> needed, >>> various preamps and poweramps for 2m and 432, as well as antennas with >>> more elements. >>> >>> I also have a Ten Tec 2510 satellite unit that does not have the "extra >>> crystal board", >>> which I understand makes it a non-starter for the 3 birds I mentioned. >>> >>> For those of you experienced with the bandpass birds, assuming an >>> outdoor, >>> clear sky access location, what should I bring? (i.e. will the FT-847 >>> stock amp be sufficient? >>> How many elements do I need for uplink? pre-amp for downlink? etc) >>> >>> I also may only be able to work overnight (in darkness) -- that rules >>> out AO-7, correct? >>> >>> Bill W1PA >>> ______________________________**_________________ >>> 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<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<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
