2015-11-18
I received some signals from the FOX-1A (AO-85) amateur satellite
Earlier today I had an opportunity to listen to the FOX-1A amateur satellite. Due to the pass not being very high (a maximum of 61 degrees elevation) and not much time to 'play' I took the Wouxun radio and the arrow antenna out so I would not be busy with unmounting and mounting the FT-857 radio in the 'home shack'. The upside of the downlink signals (from the satellite to the earth) being in the 2 meter amateur band is that the absolute dopplershift isn't as high, so my radio tuned to 145.975 MHz was able to receive some signals. I mainly heard OM3WAN active, calling CQ for new contacts and making a few. Reception was spotty, so to try anything I will concentrate on higher passes (which have to match my schedule) and use the FT-857 radio.