New mode test on ECHO satellite

Soon we will test a new mode on Echo. We plan to configure both UHF transmitters into FM repeater mode, therefore having two FM repeaters operating at the same time on the satellite. Check the November Schedule, when published, for the date of this test.

The second FM repeater will be for low power stations only. The repeater on 435.300 will be open to all stations, as it has been to date. If your station does not fit into the low power description, then please do not use the 2nd repeater.

To attempt to keep this simple a low power station will be defined as a station which can deliver no more than 10 watts to a vertical or handheld antenna.

Some examples of Low Power Stations:
1) Using an HT (barefoot, no amplifier) with 10 watts or less output into any type of vertical whip antenna (rubber duck, etc) or handheld beam antenna (arrow type).

2) Using a mobile station with 10 watts or less output into car mounted mobile whip antenna(s).

3) Using a base station at 10 watts output into a vertical
omnidirectional antenna on the side of the house.

Examples that are NOT Low Power Stations:
1) Any type of high gain beam antenna, KLM, M2, Cushcraft, etc.
2) Any station transmitting over 10 watts into any type of antenna.

How well we operate the satellite within these guidelines will determine how much we can run this mode in the future.

ECHO COMMAND TEAM

[ANS thanks KE4AZN for the above information]

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