And also don't forget AO-7.
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/satellites/satInfo.php?satID=9&retURL=/satellites/status.phpVO-52 and (part of the time) AO-7 use a 70cm uplink and 2m downlink. AO-7 alternates between that configuration (called "mode B") and "mode A" - 2m uplink with 10m downlink. FO-29 uses a 2m uplink and 70cm downlink, the reverse of the other two.
You may need preamps to hear these downlinks with those omnidirectional antennas, but there are many who use Eggbeaters to work them already. VO-52 is probably the easiest one to start with, as it has the best combination of sensitive uplink receiver and (relatively) strong downlink. VO-52 passes are in the mornings and evenings. FO-29 has passes in the early morning and early/mid-afternoon timeframe, and AO-7 usually passes by a little later than FO-29. AO-7 switches between its two modes around 2330-0000 UTC, and you can see what others have reported AO-7's status (and the status of other satellites) at
http://oscar.dcarr.org/ .
I'm working these three satellites using an FT-817ND as my transmit radio into an Elk Antennas 2m/70cm log periodic, with no more than 5W. With omnidirectional antennas, you may need to use a little more power than that. You can see my station and examples of working these satellites (and other satellites, sometimes using other gear) at
http://www.youtube.com/va7ewk .
Good luck, and 73!
Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
http://www.wd9ewk.net/
