i can answer a few of those questions.
the satellite acts as a cross band repeater. That is, you transmit on one
band, either VHF or UHF, and you receive on another band, the opposite of
the one you transmitted on.
So, if you are transmitting on say 145.88MHZ, you would be receiving on
435.300MHZ to give an example of the ao51 set up.
There are satelites that use 10 meters as well for some of the digital
stuff....so you would tx or rx on 28. xxx and either tx or rx on 435.300.
Most of them also have 1.2GHZ uplinks or downlinks and sometimes one on
2.4GHZ as well.
They mostly use FM for voice operations, and some use SSB for data, though i
believe there are some that use ssb for voice as well.
As for coverage, i'm not sure, but i think the coverage is as wide as the
satelite can receive at any given time...so if it is passing over my area,
i'm pretty sure the satellite can see a pretty large portion of the western
part of north america, but I'm not sure on that.
I don't think there are real advantages to working satellites as far as
their sheer communications ability, but they are designed for dx and the
enjoyment of amateur radio operators.
I suppose in the case of a world wide black out, they could offer some long
distance communication between amateurs or emergency services.
They are considered a weak signal mode of communication so they're not meant
for clear arm chair copy work like a repeater or simplex frequency.
If you have a highly tuned antenna system, then they can be easier to work,
but working them handheld is challenging and takes some skill.
there is all sorts of good information on the amsat.org site regarding
working the satellites and their capabilities or lack there of.
And no question is stupid on this list no matter what it is...as long as
it's amateur radio related, which encompasses such a wide variety of things
that nearly any question on anything is welcome.
there are no stupid questions, just stupid answers.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Deatherage" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 11:19 PM
Subject: satellite questions
> Hello to all, =20
> I have a few questions that I am sure that will sound stupidto most of =
> you. I was wondering if the satellite is like a repeater where you =
> transmit on one frequency and it recieves the signal and transmits it =
> back on another. Also, does it cover a greater distance than most =
> repeaters? Besides the chalenge of working it what is the advantages of =
> working satellites over repeaters?
> I was also wondering if any one on the list has worked earth moon earth. =
> or moon bounce. I have heard of it gbut don't know a lot about it. I =
> am sure it isn't anything you can do if living in an apartment. I think =
> it might be interesting to hear about different modes people have =
> tried. and how it worked with speach. When I lived in a moble home and =
> used ASAP that was when many people were still using DOSS. I tried =
> working RTTY. I made a few contacts. One was to a station in Mexico. =
> Another question I had was is there a way to set JAWS to read call signs =
> letter by letter instead of pronouncing them as words?
> take care and 73's.
> Bill
>
>
> --
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8:32 AM
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