[AReU] A word of encouragement

[w4tas]

I got my downlink going today with the temperature compensated 3733
converter and with the preamplifier mounted directly on the back of the
helix reflector.

I called CQ with only 10 watts from my TS780. That's only 5 watts to the
antenna with the feedline I have and got a response on my second call. Had a
nice QSO with Clair in Ottowah with 5X2 reports from him with low power and
5X9 reports when I turned the amplifier on. I had a problem with Leila and
had to turn down the mike gain to keep from being bleeped with the
amplifier.

The range was 62,000 km! That is very-very close to apogee with a squint of
about 2 degrees.

That means that 50 watts to a string soaked in salt water will probably get
you a contact with a good downlink system.

My uplink antenna was an 18 element cross polarized Yagi but remember I was
getting in with only 5 watts to it. The guy I was talking to had two 7 turn
helix antennas on 70 cm. He was running an FT847 and I had an armchair copy
on him.

I was disturbed by excessive desense when I was running full power. I will
have to figure out what is causing that and take remedial action. I think it
is the preamplifier not having any front end tuned circuits although it did
not bother it when I had the preamplifier mounted below the helix feed. Oh
well, something else to work on.

73

Tony