AM SSB Receiver for the AMSAT Beacon Satellites

[spdfile1]

I am looking to get a receiver that apparently needs to receive on AM SSB in the UHF range so I can monitor the AMSAT's Satellite Beacons that transmit on UHF but in AM SSB mode from what I'm told. I have several radio's but none of which will do the trick. Does anyone have any ideas?!?!? I am not on HF (yet) and do not want to spend more than a hundred dollars. As you can tell I have just about no knowledge on what receivers work other than what I see sold online. I may be going down a dead end as far as price range is concerned. If I am let me know. Oh and I would prefer something portable. Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[Rover]

I have great luck with the Kenwood F6a. No problem with CW beacons from the Sats. I have even heard SSB from V0-52 and some UHF satcom from the milsats. Usa a high gain whip most of the time, but have heard the CW beacons on the stock antenna on a high -pass. The F6a is about 300 $ new but you can find used ones for about 200$. It will do SSB/CW up too about 450 mhz. It is a 3 band ham- handheld with wide receive from 100 kc-1300 mhz.

73 Rover

 

[spdfile1]

I have great luck with the Kenwood F6a. No problem with CW beacons from the Sats. I have even heard SSB from V0-52 and some UHF satcom from the milsats. Usa a high gain whip most of the time, but have heard the CW beacons on the stock antenna on a high -pass. The F6a is about 300 $ new but you can find used ones for about 200$. It will do SSB/CW up too about 450 mhz. It is a 3 band ham- handheld with wide receive from 100 kc-1300 mhz.

73 Rover

Rover,
Thanks!!! I will check out the f6a.I have a kenwood mobile in the car and I love it.

 

[Comint]

I am looking to get a receiver that apparently needs to receive on AM SSB in the UHF range so I can monitor the AMSAT's Satellite Beacons that transmit on UHF but in AM SSB mode from what I'm told. I have several radio's but none of which will do the trick. Does anyone have any ideas?!?!? . . .

I suppose you realise that AM and SSB are two different modes. And I don't know of any Amateur Satellite using AM (Amplitude Modulation, or as some would say - Ancient Modulation).

Satellite beacons that are not FM, are usually shown as SSB/CW, so there is no need to go looking for a receiver capable of AM.

--
Comint

 

[kj4wii]

I suppose you realise that AM and SSB are two different modes. And I don't know of any Amateur Satellite using AM (Amplitude Modulation, or as some would say - Ancient Modulation).

Satellite beacons that are not FM, are usually shown as SSB/CW, so there is no need to go looking for a receiver capable of AM.

--
Comint

They may be different "modes" in the mode selection on a radio, but SSB as I understand it is a type of amplitude modulation, an improvement but not something altogether different. Some radios have you select AM mode and then SSB mode is an additional knob/switch/lever when in AM mode.

Agree that old AM is not of much use unless you are interested in commerical broadcasts.. all satellite and ham stuff is SSB.

I also have a kenwood TH-F6a and have had good luck listening to several satellites including some cubesats, iss, etc. I use the triband diamond SRH320A, which is a huge improvement over the rubber duck. Been able to hear beacons clearly just standing out in the yard. I used the thf6a/shr320a while volunteering at a local charity walkathon and could hear every station along the race route while others on HTs had difficulty. I use it as a mobile radio while driving around town, and while it's not as good as a proper set up, it does work. All in all I think it's a great little radio.

 

[spdfile1]

They may be different "modes" in the mode selection on a radio, but SSB as I understand it is a type of amplitude modulation, an improvement but not something altogether different. Some radios have you select AM mode and then SSB mode is an additional knob/switch/lever when in AM mode.

Agree that old AM is not of much use unless you are interested in commerical broadcasts.. all satellite and ham stuff is SSB.

I also have a kenwood TH-F6a and have had good luck listening to several satellites including some cubesats, iss, etc. I use the triband diamond SRH320A, which is a huge improvement over the rubber duck. Been able to hear beacons clearly just standing out in the yard. I used the thf6a/shr320a while volunteering at a local charity walkathon and could hear every station along the race route while others on HTs had difficulty. I use it as a mobile radio while driving around town, and while it's not as good as a proper set up, it does work. All in all I think it's a great little radio.

That is the setup I will be getting. A Kenwood TH-F6A with the Diamond SRH77CA I believe it is called. It seems to have a little more gain. Although the SRH77CA does not transmit on 220, so I will have to use the stock antenna when I wanna do stuff on 220.