[amsat-bb] Arrow Diplexer loss + Arrow v Elk
Jeff, you said; "The antenna and coax remain the same, the difference, the diplexer." My Arrow diplexer has three factory fixed wires coming out of it, one for the radio and two that go to BNC connectors on the Arrow antenna. So, you cannot say; the coax remains the same! The coax on your diplexer or the connections to it, can be at fault as well. These coax wires and how well they are connected to the Arrow diplexer, are another variable that you have not considered in your statement because they are removed from the mix when using the Elk, unless you are trying to use the Arrow diplexer on the Elk Log Periodic antenna, Which I doubt because I am assuming you used the same one radio configuration on the Elk as you did the Arrow with your diplexer but if you are that could be presenting some other variables to produce the results your experiencing. You have to use different cables for your Comet Duplexer on the Arrow, from the Comet, to the antenna connection. Although, I agree that the Arrow seems to pick up the signal a little later then my Elk antenna, both antennas work pretty darn good, IMO. I like them both and recommend them both. I do not have a technical background so my comments here, are all anecdotal in nature but the other thing I have noticed between the two antennas, is that when I make terrestrial contacts with them, the Elk appears to radiate almost as well toward the back, as toward the front. I have been told this is called front to back ratio. If I point north, a guy from the south calls back and I tell him, wow I am pointed north, let me turn and point it toward you...any better And usually there is little if any improvement, while on the Elk and what blows my mind is, there is also a fair bit of response from people even 90 degrees from the business end of the Elk. I have tried the same with the Arrow and gotten much different reports. This is only a general statement; I think the Arrow has a better front to back ratio, more energy going out the front end but I know there are other variables such as; hand held or up on the tripod I use to hold them each up (at times) and perhaps the ground under me, or the moisture in the ground during the different attempts, etc. (4-5' above the ground on tripod and me not always right behind it, so plenty of variables but in general, that is my experience in the field) Nevertheless, I have mentioned this to several on the board who have the Elk's and no one has responded that they have tested there's in this regard, so take this with a grain of salt for now. To others, I would love to hear your experience in this regard. I have asked a capable HAM friend to help me figure this out, properly, so one day I will have more then anecdotal info. I think both antennas are very well built and work well for satellite and emergency communications!I have often pulled one of them out, with success, when band conditions would not allow an Omni to get the job done on my VX-7R. I found the Elk a little cheaper to buy unless you do not purchase the Arrow diplexer. For others I will point out that, you can use the Arrow with two radios without a duplexer, with same two radio configuration, you will need a duplexer for the Elk and of course the reverse is true if you are using one radio for dual band work, as I do, the Arrow will require a duplexer and the Elk will not. Also as many of you know the Arrow diplexer is only rated for 10 watts but without it both antennas will handle much more. 73 de Rich KI6RRQ Message: 15 Date: Fri, 2 Oct 2009 23:26:38 -0700 From: "Jeff Yanko" Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arrow antenna reconfiguration results - UPDATE To: "Gary \"Joe\" Mayfield" ,"'Charles Suprin'" Could very well be. 73, Jeff WB3JFS - Original Message - From: "Gary "Joe" Mayfield" To: "'Jeff Yanko'" ; "'Charles Suprin'" Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Arrow antenna reconfiguration results - UPDATE > We are missing the easy answer. He had diplexer that was off spec. It > happens. > > 73, > Joe kk0sd > > -Original Message- > From: amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-boun...@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of Jeff Yanko > Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 4:28 PM > To: Charles Suprin > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Arrow antenna reconfiguration results - UPDATE > > Hi Charles and the group, > > FB on the numbers. Interesting to say the least and thanks for taking the > time to look further into this topic. > > Questions? I have a few after looking at these numbers and performing > more > observations. > > First, are you testing just the diplexer and not the diplexer and the > antenna combined? This could result in an overall number and not just the > diplexer alone. How coul
[amsat-bb] H.R. 607 Letter generator and Chwat contact info
Clint & Everyone: The following info will be helpful for folks to facilitate your instructions to get your letters to Chwat & Company. Also, the first link below is to a letter generator, you put in your call sign and it will generate a completed letter to your Representative with your signature block, automatically, just click the PDF Version in red to; print or save your PDF letter. http://www.kd4pyr.net/hamletter.htm Whether you use the above letter generator or your own; Signed letters can be sent by e-mail, fax or postal mail. They can also be scanned into PDF format and e-mailed as a file attachment. Postal mail: John Chwat, Chwat & Co., Suite 103, 625 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314. E-mail: john.ch...@chwatco.com. Fax number: (703) 684-7594. 73 de KI6RRQ Rich _ Message: 4 Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:54:26 -0700 From: Clint Bradford Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: H.R. 607 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Message-ID: <23f381e6-987d-4276-83c0-8cf69c27a...@earthlink.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii >> ... This works I just sent my letter . Recommend everyone join in ... The ARRL is wisely recommending that we do NOT send letters directly to our reps (unless you have an inside contact with a legislative aide). To be most effective, we are sending signed letters/faxes to our ARRL lobbyist, Chwat & Company. They will hand-carry these letters to the appropriate officials. Normal mailed letters can take up to TWO MONTHIS in is post 9/11 world to actually get to where you want it to on Capitol Hill. Complete instructions are on the ARRL's site. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666 ___ 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
[amsat-bb] Radio Interference on ISS
Yep Larry, I'm in San Diego, CA, I hear them on the ISS down link all the time, I have tried to tell them in English that they were on a satellite downlink but they don't speak English and I am usually on an HT so they are not hearing me. I will try to bring my digital voice recorder with me, next time to see if I can capture a call sign. 73 Rich KI6RRQ "Last year in Mexicali Mexico we spot a company that uses ISS down link freq 145.800 Mhz to communicate on simplex, as soon as we get their phone number by monitoring for a few days we give them a courtesy call and they politely agree to change their operating freq. I did not record the audio from this pass but would like to get it to see if we can get more details. 73's Larry KI6YAA" ___ Sent via amsat...@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
[amsat-bb] Yaesu VX7R
Clint, I use the Yaesu VX-7R for FM satellites, alone with no other radios, set up on my qrz.com page. (I have added a 9 volt, pre-amp at my receive point on my Arrow antenna)I program one memory channel, for the "split freqs" as you said but then I use the "memory tune" function to work the FM birds. (ones with no tone) When you enable the memory tune function while using your split frequency pair, you can then turn your tuning dial up and down to adjust for Doppler and just transmit as you like, this really works great and you only use one memory channel to work the pass. The only problem is the VX-7R does not pass tones in the memory tune mode, to pass tones you have to use your split freq memory channel (without using the memory tune function) or the VFO because for some reason memory tune does not allow you to pass tones. Ron @ customer service @ Yaesu did not believe me at first, he tested his test models, spoke to Japan and finally got back to me and acknowledged that the memory tune function, will not pass tones. For me the memory tune function is better on FM birds that do not require a tone because one programed memory channel, allows you to adjust for Doppler, instead of 5 memory channels, each pre-programed for Doppler shift, respectively being; 10+, 5+, 0, 5-, 10- over, at and below, the downlink freq. I Love the VX-7R, mine has been indestructible and indispensible for all kinds of duty, almost 3 years old and the well-used, Lithium Ion battery works as well today as it did new. I don't think the VX-7R has the most discriminating receiver in the history of hand helds but it's pretty good, with a pre-amp, along with the Yaesu hand held mic, the rig allows me, good and lightweight working conditions, while working remote, as compared to my Yaesu FT-897D rig. (costing many multiples more) 73 de KI6RRQ Rich -Original Message- Message: 5 Date: Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:54:13 -0800 From: Clint Bradford Subject: [amsat-bb] Yaesu VX-7R To: AMSAT BB Message-ID: <3595f78a-b311-41b2-bba3-7049fd3dc...@mac.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii VX-7R owners - to work the FM satellites, are you just programming "split freqs" into single memory channels (per page 46-ish of the manual)? Or is there a more esoteric method? I have owned a VX-7R since the week they were released ... but have neglected it far too long ... Clint, K6LCS http://www.clintbradford.com ___ Sent via amsat...@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
