[Elecraft] KX-3 and satellites

[Mike Herr]

Had a few questions about the set up I am using with the KX3 and satellite
operation. So far I have been on both FO29 and AO7. FO29 is fairly easy
bird to get through, AO7 can be difficult. I have not tried SO50 yet. I use
the compute to control the az / el rotors but not the doppler shift. I
adjust for doppler manually, using the tried and true rule of only
adjusting the higher of the uplink / downlink frequencies. This works well
enough for the past 30 years of satellite operation, as the QSOs are short
and the satellites are (unfortunately) largely empty.

On FO29, if the pass is very high elevation, say above 60degrees, I can get
into it barefoot with the 3 watts from the KX3, but don't expect to do that
near the horizon. Generally speaking I use 10 watts or less  for most of
the pass.

On AO7, an external preamp is needed, especially with the only 3 elements
yagi. Again, on a high elevation I can hear fine without an external
preamp, but it is definitely helpful.

AO-7
Downlink (145.950 MHz)  - Elecraft KX3 with 2 meter module
                                       3 element yagi
                                       Mirage B-34G amp (includes Gaasfet
preamp)

Uplink (432.150 MHz)     - Yaesu FT-857
                                      11 element yagi

FO-29
Downlink (435.850 MHz)     - Yaesu FT-857
                                      11 element yagi

Uplink (145.950 MHz)        - Elecraft KX3 with 2 meter module
                                       3 element yagi
                                       Mirage B-34G amp

OBTW - Starting a road trip in a week, taking the KX3 along for both SOTA
and satellite field operations.
-- 
Mike Herr
WA6ARA
DM-15dp
Home of The QRP Ranch

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