VE3NPC and G3VZV complete transatlantic AO-51 mode V/S contact

Clare, VE3NPC and Graham, G3VZV completed a transatlantic contact via AO-51 running an uplink of 145.880 MHz FM and downlink of 2401.200 MHz FM at 10:11 UTC on January 9, 2009.

Clare reported the elevation at 5 degrees and a range of 2700 km. The two stations completed a short QSO with clear signals.

Clare says his equipment consists of a 52 turn helix with reflector cup into a DEM preamp and downconverter into SatPC32 controlled FT-736 for 13cm receiving on 2401.200 MHz. He used an FT-847 with 2 watts into 2 x 6 el quagis for 2m for his uplink. Complete information on the 52 turn helix was published in the September/October 2008 AMSAT Journal.

At the other end of the contact Graham, G3VZV says he was operating with an IC910 barefoot. The antennas included WIMO circular polarised VHF (10 dBd) and UHF (12 dBd) crossed quad antennas and the famous G3RUH 600mm/2 foot dish and patchfeed with a Kuhne DB6NT preamp at the
feed left over from AO40 operating. The antennas are all at about 40 feet. The satellite reached around 3 degrees elevation. Graham says he did all doppler tuning correction by hand.

In other AO-51 news, AMSAT-NA VP Operations, Drew KO4MA provided updates to the AO-51 Operating Mode Schedule to better support a hamfest operation, and a DXpedition to Namibia.

January 12 - January 18

FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM

FM Repeater, L/U
Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM

January 19 - January 25

FM Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM

9k6 BBS, L/U
Uplink: 1268.700 MHz 9k6 FM
Downlink: 435.150 MHz 9k6 FM

January 26 - February 1

FM Repeater, L/S
Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM
Downlink: 2401.200 MHz FM

SSTV Repeater, V/U
Uplink: 145.860 MHz FM SSTV
Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM SSTV

The full AO-51 schedule and Command Team News can be found on-line at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ControlTeam.php. The AMSAT main web page will also provide a quick status update when the information changes. Operating mode requests can be sent via e-mail to
ao51-modes@amsat.org .

Source: Amsat