Work Ham Satellites with Just Your HT

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n9mxq

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I worked Mir, the Shuttles, an ISS with just a handheld. It's easier than most people think.


No bits were harmed in the posting of this message.
 

clintbradford

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You tell 'em, Gene! (grin)

Sometimes, when I tell groups that they can work a "station" that is more than 500 miles away with an HT turned DOWN to 1-2W and a little handheld antenna, I get "looks" ...

Clint
 

Fast1eddie

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Crafton Pennsylvania
Guys, thank you for rekindling my interest in SATCOM. After reviewing equipment on hand, I am pretty much operational except for a decent antenna. For now, my discone will have to do. That and determining a pass schedule of what I would like to monitor, and eventually try to work once I get my HT properly programmed.

Good Signals,

ed N3KEX
 

n9mxq

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There's plenty of tracking sites online.. Or you can download software to track with.. Just make sure you're using the right split (V/V V/U U/U) and have a ball.

All of my contacts were in the 3 watt range with an RH77C antenna on my HT..

You can hear the ISS side of my contact with Col. Doug Wheelock when he was on ISS here: NA1SS (Col. Doug Wheelock) working U.S. Stations on 01 September 2010 at 2355 UTC | ISS Fan Club I don't remember how far into the file I am.. But I am there. Note you'll only hear the ISS side of the conversation.
 

clintbradford

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Discones by design are not going to provide a pleasant satellite listening experience: ZERO (or little) gain.

Build yourself a tape measure beam - 10 or 15 bucks in parts - and experience the world of high gain!

Plans for these on the ANTENNAS page at mu Web site.

And for tracking? Plenty of apps - and FREE online sources - cited on the TRACKING page!

As a matter of fact - ALL info you need to work a couple birds in the next few days in on that site!

Clint K6LCS
K6LCS Shows You How to Work Amateur Radio Satellites - With Minimal Equipment!
 
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