Using my K3 for satellites

[Ray Coles]

I have recently started to explore satellite activity using my K3/KXV144. I
am using the popular SatPC32 software to track the birds and I have an
azimuth steerable 5 element 2m Yagi which enables me to receive telemetry
and the downlink side of QSOs when tracking birds which use a 2m downlink.
This has wetted my appetite for full-on QSOs, and I am now the proud owner
of a 70cm crossed Yagi which I plan to erect on my mast when weather
permits.

My problem is that all of my reading on what rig to use steers me towards
Yaesu (and other Elecraft competitors) and never towards Elecraft.

Ideally you need a duplex 2m/70cm rig with CAT tuning from the tracking
software like SatPC32 to handle Doppler (when receiving things like FunCube
telemetry I have to watch my P3 and manually tune my K3 and manually slew my
rotator. Fine for reception, but probably not manageable on two bands for a
QSO!)

I do have an ft817 which is supported up-to-the-hilt by software and neat
CAT interface boards (eg ARRL project kit) but I am stubborn and want to use
my K3 with its superior specs, perhaps by adding an external KV432
transverter for 70cm. My question to the learned reflector brains trust is
therefore:- Is anybody doing anything like this with their Elecraft rig? If
so how do they overcome the apparent Yaesu bias in software etc? I guess
Duplex isn't going to be possible but a neat simplex controller to switch
bands for Tx/Rx probably is.

 

Ray Coles, C.Eng. M0XDL

10 Littlemoor Road,

Weymouth DT3 6AA

Tel: [phone]

Mob: [phone]

 

 

 

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[Edward R Cole]

Ray,

Years ago I was active on satellites with either my FT-847
(excellent) or FT-817 (not duplex but nice for portable use).  I
subsequently sold both in favor of the K3 and KX3, respectively.

Of course the K3 will not support duplex operation (only one DSP
Rx).  But I have not determined if one can operate split band between
Rx and Tx.  If so, probably sw can be developed to control VFO-A (Rx)
separate from VFO-B (Tx).  I use free sw (Trakbox from IK7EZN) to do
that for eme in the same band but both Rx and Tx are not tuned by sw
during operation.

Another approach is using two radios.  I have not tried it (yet) but
using the KX3-2M on 145-MHz and my K3/432-xvtr on 435-MHz for
full-duplex operation is an approach I am looking to do.  You could
combine using your FT-817/K3+KV432?  I believe SatPC32 can control
two radios to give you auto-tune/track.

Perhaps we will hear from someone else whether dual-band split-freq
works with the K3.

73, Ed - KL7UW

-----------snip
Ideally you need a duplex 2m/70cm rig with CAT tuning from the tracking
software like SatPC32 to handle Doppler (when receiving things like FunCube
telemetry I have to watch my P3 and manually tune my K3 and manually slew my
rotator. Fine for reception, but probably not manageable on two bands for a
QSO!)

I do have an ft817 which is supported up-to-the-hilt by software and neat
CAT interface boards (eg ARRL project kit) but I am stubborn and want to use
my K3 with its superior specs, perhaps by adding an external KV432
transverter for 70cm. My question to the learned reflector brains trust is
therefore:- Is anybody doing anything like this with their Elecraft rig? If
so how do they overcome the apparent Yaesu bias in software etc? I guess
Duplex isn't going to be possible but a neat simplex controller to switch
bands for Tx/Rx probably is.

Ray Coles, C.Eng. M0XDL



73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
     "Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
     [hidden email]

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