I have the D7A (full duplex), but I don’t like the receiver sensitivity. I went back to using one THG71 for the down and the D7 for the up. The other thing I don't like about the D7 is you have to switch between back and forth between band A and B to adjust doppler. I would probably not recommend the D7 for satellite work. I have heard things about the D72.
Zack KD8KSN -----Original Message----- From: Tyler Nicholas Sent: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 6:16 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: 2 ht vs. 1-duplex ht I will second Drew on the FT-530. I picked one up for under $200 that was in awesome condition and it is the best HT I have ever owned (and I have been through a bunch). If you are even luckier, you might find one with the MH-29 speaker mic that has a LCD display on it. You can adjust the downlink frequency with this mic and even see the frequency on it. I also found some massive batteries from W&W manufacturing that make this radio run forever. For some other full duplex options, you might consider a Kenwood TH-D72. I haven't tried one, but I have seen good reviews on it as a full duplex handheld. It's a little pricey ($500) and unless you want the APRS in it, I would seriously consider an FT-530 or the predecessor to the D72 which is the Kenwood TH-D7A which can be picked up on eBay or elsewhere for a decent price. I would not recommend the Alinco DJ-G7 for full duplex. They are priced good and will do full duplex, but the receiver has a densense problem when you transmit on 2m. It's a good radio otherwise, but the full duplex performance is very poor unless signals are extremely strong (as in local repeater strong). I first started using two FT-60s in the beginning and I understand Zach's problem with lugging everything in and out of the house. Two HTs work just fine, but if you are really serious about satellites, I would highly recommend a full duplex HT. Good luck, Tyler Nicholas K5TDN Sent from my iPhone On Jan 26, 2011, at 3:26 PM, Andrew Glasbrenner <glasbren...@mindspring.com> wrote: > On 1/26/2011 4:00 PM, Ted wrote: >> Zach, there are a lot of VUCC's out there that use exactly what you >> have... >> >> Most here will argue that you HAVE to be duplex....a lot get by without >> it >> > No, just that it is a more productive and considerate way of operating. > A lot of the congestion you hear on AO-51 is due to stations either not > knowing, or not caring, that they are in competition for the uplink. > Full duplex takes care of half of that. Things are also MUCH different > when AO-51 is over the west coast with it's considerably lower density > of hams. > > To answer your question Zach, it's all about your personal budget and > needs. Adding a 2nd HT is probably the cheapest route, but adds more > complication than a single full duplex HT. Maybe you could try borrowing > an HT to try it with two? If you want to go with a single full duplex > HT, there are lots of older ones out there in good condition used. I saw > an FT-530 the other day with a ton of accessories going for less than a > new single band. That is one of the finest full duplex radios ever made > for satellites. > > Another trick is to take the Arrow off the tripod and hold it by hand > where you can rapidly twist it to peak the signal due to polarity > differences. With full duplex you can even do this while transmitting to > clear up a ratty uplink. Check out > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTqjQ9xIQQE for an example of how much > polarity plays in signal strength on AO-51 with an Arrow (or Elk, or any > linear antenna). > > 73, and good luck on the air, > Drew KO4MA > AMSAT-NA VP Operations > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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 AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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 AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. 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
