OBSERVATIONS FROM NORWAY LA2QAA 19th June 2008
There was an interesting post recently on the Amsat-BB from John KC6UQH - who stated ...
and I tend to agree ... HEO's are generally *EASIER* to work than LEO's.
That one needs expensive equipment to work an HEO is a myth that is simply *not* true. - (try telling GM1SXX it's expensive) - it's his pet niggle.
In addition, John K6YK said...
>My first attempts at Oscar 10 were with:
>Transmitter: Heathkit HW-24 FM rig, keying on CW (10 watts), 7 element
>vertical polarized yagi, no elevation.
>Receiver: Yaesu FT-221R no preamp, 12 element yagi horizontal polarized,
>no elevation.
>Many contacts made. Subsequent improvements made things better for sure.
>73
>John K6YK
Hallelujah!
As to myself, I've worked the world on HEO's using an FT-290 and an FT-790, both
of which are 20 years old and purchased used on Ebay - neither rig has bells and
whistles, no automatic doppler tuning and no computer interface. I used an El
Cheapo Japanese azimuth-only TV rotor, fixed elevation and a maximum EIRP of 25
watts ... yes !!! - E.I.R.P.
(see "How much power is enough")
http://www.observations.biz
I have satellite QSL's from all corners of the world.
(The world doesn't have corners twit, they're "round"......GM1SXX).
Things like aerials, a preamp and a 5 watt PA were all home made.
Despite certain schools of thought, circular polarisation is absolutely *NOT* a necessity.
(A further discussion of circular polarisation can be found on the OBSERVATIONS
website) - www.observations.biz
Expensive to work an HEO ?? ... Gerroff !!!!. It's only expensive if you
absolutely must follow the route of - Mine's bigger than yours" mentality.
As station "development" I used the excellent ITUNE software and a homebrew
interface via the push-buttons to give the rigs auto-doppler tuning for full
doppler tuning at the satellite.
Again - as cheap as chips - (those you have with fish).
Expensive ? ... difficult ? ... Ballcocks !!!!
AMEN! GM1SXX
73 John.
__.