Joe, First off the FT-817 makes a nice satellite rig even though not cross-band duplex.
At 04:02 PM 6/27/2011, Joe Krepps wrote: >All, > >I appreciate that this topic has been brought up (especially _after_ FD, >HiHi!!). > >If I may inject a question: for the seriously budget minded, is there any >value to building a "better antenna" (i.e. more elements for improved >gain) versus adding a pre-amp? I realize a higher gain antenna will be >more sensitive to positioning/aiming and, unless I go the U-110 rotator >route, I won't be doing much elevation adjustment. IN stepping up from say HT and Arrow to a "permanent" antenna there are two choices: 1) A good omni-directional antenna with preamp, or 2) A small yagi mounted at 15-degrees elevation and rotated with a cheap TV rotator. If you can afford both #2 and a preamp that is even better. >I'll be using either my current FT-817ND or an eBay all mode 2m >transciever, for AO-7. In Mode A, rx with the FT-817ND & tx with a "well >loved" 2m all mode. In Mode B, rx with the 2m all mode and Tx with the >FT-817ND. Of course, dialing the power down as often as practical! Sounds good. I used my 3-element 20m yagi for mode-A AO-7 quite well, but my 2m Lindenblad was not adequate for uplink with 50w. For mode-B AO-7 you probably need a yagi with preamp (others more AO-7 experienced feel free to confirm or refute). >(Now, I kinda' wish I could have held onto my old IC-820H, Yaesu Az/El >rotators and "Oscar link" crossed yagis...but I needed $$ at the time. >Now, I'm married so, by definition, I'm broke. HiHi!) As they say" "been there, done that". >I appreciate ALL the wisdom shared so far! :) > >Mny tnx & 73! >Joe WB3CFN >P.S. I _do_ have an Arrow but not sure how suitable it is for continuous >outdoor use. >_______________________________________________ >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 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubus...@gmail.com ====================================== _______________________________________________ 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
