Newbie Sat operator questions

[W0TLP]

I am suddenly fascinated by the sats. How amazing.

I had the fortune of working AO-51 with a tape measure Yagi before the sat died. Lately I've worked AO-27 and have had some great passes with the Arrow antenna.

I have a few questions about sat work:

What is the the digital noise I've been hearing on AO-27, usually at the start and end of the pass?

Can AO-27 be worked at night? I ask only because I've read that some satellites operate only when in eclipse, which I think means in the daytime. Is that right?

I'll try SO-50 sometime soon. What else should I look for?

Thanks all.

Teak
W0TLP
(Formerly KD0KVV)

[K6LCS]

>> ... AO-27 ...

Because of the satellite's limited power budget and a desire to maintain sufficient battery capacity for as many years as possible, the amateur transmitter on AO-27 is on for only part of the daylight portion of each orbit. As of September 1998, the satellite passed its five year design goal with minimal signs of battery degradation, so this operating philosophy appears to have been successful.

AO-27 is available on daylight passes over the Northern Hemisphere.

The 0.2 second tone bursts use to contain the stations' position, course, speed and brief status. 

... SO-50 ...

A little finicky to work. NOT a constant-carrier satellite ... Keep tracking and listening - you'll work it!.

Clint, K6LCS
http://www.work-sat.com