[amsat-bb] Re: Starter antennas

[kc8ran]

I used them with preamps mounted on a 10 foot piece of PVC for a couple 
years. Not the greatest, but still made enough contacts to stay 
interested. I also used an Arrow on a camera tripod roughly pointed 
toward the max elevation azimuth on some low passes where the M2 loops 
didn't perform as well.

Joe KC8RAN


On Sat, May 1, 2010 at 3:13 PM, Jacob Tennant wrote:

> I have a set of M2 loops antennas for 2 meters & 70cm and from reading 
> their website they state that they are good LEO antennas. So I was 
> wondering what the consensus is from anyone that has tried them.
>
> I understand that they won't be as good as a CP beam setup on a az/el 
> rotator, but since I have nothing up as of yet hoping they will at 
> least let me get started, was also hoping to use them for a mobile 
> satellite setup as well...
>
> Jacob Tennant - K8JWT
> ___
> 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
___
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] Re: Starter antennas

[Jim Walls]

Jacob Tennant wrote:
> I have a set of M2 loops antennas for 2 meters & 70cm and from reading their 
> website they state that they are good LEO antennas. So I was wondering what 
> the consensus is from anyone that has tried them.
>
> I understand that they won't be as good as a CP beam setup on a az/el 
> rotator, but since I have nothing up as of yet hoping they will at least let 
> me get started, was also hoping to use them for a mobile satellite setup as 
> well...
>   

Jacob,
They will work, but understand that you will be dealing with a VERY 
WEAK signal.  In my opinion, not the best for a starter antenna.  An 
experienced operator who knows what they are getting into, and is 
willing (or desiring) the extra challenge can do fine with them.  I have 
used a set of those loops for mobile operations, but I also have 
thousands of satellite QSOs in my log, and I know what I can and cannot 
do with them. 

-- 
73
-
Jim Walls - K6CCC
j...@k6ccc.org
Ofc:  818-548-4804
http://home.earthlink.net/~k6ccc
AMSAT Member 32537 - WSWSS Member 395

___
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] Re: Starter antennas

[Ron Overdrive]

Personally I just use my Arrow II hand held yagi and my Yaesu VX-7R for
working satellites. Its a little challenging doing this without a tripod,
but if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun.

~73, KC2WQW

On Mon, May 3, 2010 at 10:55 PM, Jim Walls  wrote:

> Jacob Tennant wrote:
> > I have a set of M2 loops antennas for 2 meters & 70cm and from reading
> their website they state that they are good LEO antennas. So I was wondering
> what the consensus is from anyone that has tried them.
> >
> > I understand that they won't be as good as a CP beam setup on a az/el
> rotator, but since I have nothing up as of yet hoping they will at least let
> me get started, was also hoping to use them for a mobile satellite setup as
> well...
> >
>
> Jacob,
>They will work, but understand that you will be dealing with a VERY
> WEAK signal.  In my opinion, not the best for a starter antenna.  An
> experienced operator who knows what they are getting into, and is
> willing (or desiring) the extra challenge can do fine with them.  I have
> used a set of those loops for mobile operations, but I also have
> thousands of satellite QSOs in my log, and I know what I can and cannot
> do with them.
>
> --
> 73
> -
> Jim Walls - K6CCC
> j...@k6ccc.org
> Ofc:  818-548-4804
> http://home.earthlink.net/~k6ccc 
> AMSAT Member 32537 - WSWSS Member 395
>
> ___
> 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
>
___
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] Re: Starter antennas

[Peter Portanova]

Ron,

I really like your message,  "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".  All to 
often some satellite operators build taller and bigger having unrealistic 
expectations and stop smiling after a pass.  I've been helping a club member 
who has been a ham over 40 years, he was timid about what it took to make a 
satellite contact.  I put an Arrow in his hands, taught him about frequency 
steps for Doppler, and how to use his wrist during a pass.  A week later, 
John how did go, well haven't had the chance excuse.  John, look I will pick 
a pass for you 40 degrees, just listen, he did and the smile started.  The 
next day, he had three confirmed QSO's, would of had more but his pencil 
broke in the excitement, digital tape next, his smile is not going away! 
keeping it simple and  remembering "if it was too easy it wouldn't be as 
much fun, thank you Ron.

73's Pete
WB2OQQ
www.massapequanyweather.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

[amsat-bb] Re: Starter antennas

[John Ronan]

On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:

> Ron,
> 
> I really like your message,  "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun". 

Thinking along those lines

Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view.  I saw on here (I think) 
that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current schedule.  
I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof.  I also have a 2m/70cms 
pre-amp near the antenna.  On a pass yesterday morning, I could hear AO-51 
reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I dropped my 
call-sign into a small gap.  4 contacts later (and one on the next pass), I'm 
still smiling.

Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF.
Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA.  Any pointers for a simple to construct 
antenna?

Regards
de John
EI7IG
___
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] Re: Starter antennas

[John Ronan]

On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:

> Ron,
> 
> I really like your message,  "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun". 

Thinking along those lines

Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view.  I saw on here (I think) 
that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current schedule.  
I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof.  I also have a 2m/70cms 
pre-amp near the antenna.  On a pass yesterday morning, I could hear AO-51 
reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I dropped my 
call-sign into a small gap.  4 contacts later (and one on the next pass), I'm 
still smiling.

Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF.
Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA.  Any pointers for a simple to construct 
antenna?

Regards
de John
EI7IG
___
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] Re: Starter antennas

[John Ronan]

On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:

> Ron,
> 
> I really like your message,  "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun". 

Thinking along those lines

Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view.  I saw on here (I think) 
that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current schedule.  
I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof.  I also have a 2m/70cms 
pre-amp near the antenna.  On a pass yesterday morning, I could hear AO-51 
reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I dropped my 
call-sign into a small gap.  4 contacts later (and one on the next pass), I'm 
still smiling.

Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF.
Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA.  Any pointers for a simple to construct 
antenna?

Regards
de John
EI7IG
___
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] Re: Starter antennas

[Josh Smith]

I'll have to reiterate what others have said about having great luck
using my Arrow II and a camera tripod.  It works great.

Thanks,
Josh Smith
KD8HRX
email/jabber:  juice...@gmail.com
phone:  304.237.9369(c)





On Wed, May 5, 2010 at 9:03 AM, John Ronan  wrote:
>
> On 4 May 2010, at 12:56, Peter Portanova wrote:
>
>> Ron,
>>
>> I really like your message,  "if it was easy it wouldn't be as fun".
>
> Thinking along those lines
>
> Speaking for a "Non" satellite station point of view.  I saw on here (I 
> think) that the power level was going to be slightly higher for the current 
> schedule.  I have an FT-847 and a 6m/2m/70cms omni on the roof.  I also have 
> a 2m/70cms pre-amp near the antenna.  On a pass yesterday morning, I could 
> hear AO-51 reasonably well (when folks weren't keying over one another) so I 
> dropped my call-sign into a small gap.  4 contacts later (and one on the next 
> pass), I'm still smiling.
>
> Looking for a cheap rotator now suitable to hold a small beam for VHF/UHF.
> Actually I have a Mini-kits L-band LNA.  Any pointers for a simple to 
> construct antenna?
>
> Regards
> de John
> EI7IG
> ___
> 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
>

___
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