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Author Topic: Active Linear Transponder birds  (Read 265 times)

KF4HR

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Active Linear Transponder birds
« on: January 11, 2022, 03:33:22 PM »

After many years, I am rekindling my interest with amateur satellites.  Which are the best linear transponder birds that are currently active?

KF4HR
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K6LCS

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Re: Active Linear Transponder birds
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2022, 09:40:49 AM »

Watch the AMSAT pages ...

https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/

... and also the LIVE AMSAT Status Page ...

https://www.amsat.org/status/

Clint K6LCS
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Clint Bradford, K6LCS
AMSAT Ambassador, ARRL Affiliated Club Coordinator
http://www.work-sat.com
909-999-SATS

N4UFO

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Re: Active Linear Transponder birds
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2022, 01:55:34 PM »

I am not active at the moment either... but I will tell you that AO-7 is 'alive' again... you just have to watch your power so you don't 'flip' it from B mode to A mode. Other than that, whatever is left of the XW-2 birds... there were originally 5 but several have developed issues. Looking at the Amsat status page, might be only XW-2A still worth a hoot. Then there is CAS-4A and CAS-4B which have a unique orbit and I found them very reliable when I was last on. Others I am not familiar with are RS-44 (I think it has a hearing problem?) and JO-97 which I have never worked. There are several new birds launched recently/soon, which i know little about.

In short, it's not at all like the old days... I know what you are asking; you are looking for the currently FO-29/VO-52, etc.  Not one. With the exception of AO-7 they are much lower orbit and smaller footprint and I think you just have to kind of work whatever comes over. Sorry to put it that way, but it is what it is.

That said... I still think sats are fun. I just have to get something going at new QTH. I sold off my AZ-EL array when we left QTH in NC and here QTH not suitable for a full blown setup. Working on something more portable.

73 & GL! Kevin N4UFO
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KF0QS

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Re: Active Linear Transponder birds
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2022, 11:48:17 PM »

I don't really think RS-44 has a hearing problem, and indeed, right now it is my favorite linear bird.  I've had excellent results with it.  It's in a higher orbit than most, so you can work some decent distance with it. 

JO-97 is underutilized, but it's a solid bird as well.

XW-A is the only satellite in that series that is working well, but it does work well.

CAS-4A seems to have developed a problem and is inconsistent but CAS-4B is also working well.

So, at a minimum, there are four linear satellites operational right now that are doing good. 

AO-7, remarkably, is still operational "sometimes".  It's amazing.

I do recommend you check the AMSAT "status" page at the following link for up to date info:

https://www.amsat.org/status/

See you on the birds!

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AF5CC

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Re: Active Linear Transponder birds
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2022, 09:15:48 AM »

RS-44 is very similar to FO29, it is in Mode J and has a similar altitude and footprint size.  It is a nice satellite to use.  I have worked both Hawaii and Alaska using it.  The only other satellite I can work Hawaii with is AO7 so you can see this has a better footprint than the other LEO satellites.

CAS-4A shuts off now and then during a pass but is very usable.  The shut off times are short and it is on for most of the pass.  It has a great downlink signal as does CAS-4B.

TO-108 has a more rapid period of on/off cycling during a pass but is usable if you can time your calls correctly.  I still make a few QSOs on it when it is in view.  It has a great downlink signal also.  I wish more people would use it.  It uses Mode B as well.

EO88 and AO73 are also active when they are in darkness.  They both have great signals as well and are nice satellites to use.  They both use Mode B.

There is a recently launched satellite HO-113 which is in Mode J, but its signal isn't as strong and it is more unpredictable.  Sometimes it has a great signal, other times it is very hard to hear.  It appears to have some issues with it. 

Hope to hear you on some of the satellites soon.

73 John AF5CC
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