Satellite ops with IC-9700

[VK4GHZ]

Any satellite ops here that have an Icom IC-9700?

Need to pick your brains on how you actually operate the 9700 during this operation.

Do you tune around on the "sub" band; (the TX band displayed in the bottom half), or do you tune around on the "main" band (the RX band displayed in the top half).

Or doesn't it matter.

Your knowledge and comments will help make the SEQ-9700 sequencer "satellite friendly".
(Despite the CI-V command set being a bit lacking in this department)

It's a pain how the TX band swaps down to bottom in sat mode.

[VK1JA]

Hi Adam,

It can be a bit tricky. What I usually do is if the sat is free (no qso's in progress) I'll start transmitting and tune my rx to hear the downlink. BUT, if I find a qso is already under way I'll tune the other stations in, then when I tx I'll adjust my tx so it's on freq to them so we're all on the same freq, or close to it.

I'm not sure if this is 'best practice' but it seems to work at keeping stations in a close freq range, rather than hunting people down.

I have the uplink and downlink frequencies set for the middle of the sat's bandwidth, but of course the sat's frequencies can(and do) drift a bit.

[VK4GHZ]

Thanks for the reply Jayson.

Let's do this visually!
Click on the attachments to see explanation text full-size.

Not good!

Good!

The operator will need to (manually) ensure that the bottom TX band is selected before transmitting, so that CI-V reports the correct frequency... so the sequencer switches the correct PA and LNA relays.

If the operator has the RX band (the top one) selected (as per top image), then the wrong relays will be switched.

Making sure the bottom (TX) band is selected - is this a real problem?
Or a perceived problem ?

[VK6XLR]

I use SatPC32 (via USB) to control the radio and antennas.
Normally, the Main (Top) band is RX and Sub (Bottom) band is TX. Set the RX to desired downlink frequency then tune the TX until you hear yourself on the downlink. From there just use RIT for fine tune to hear the other operator.

[VK4GHZ]

Hi Rick

I'm aware which is RX (top) and TX bands (bottom)!

I am trying to ascertain WHICH BAND is SELECTED (ie: WHITE not GREY) immediately before you go into transmit.
Can you make a note of that please, and let me know.

[VK3QI]

Adam,

Just another example of where the TS2000 with its individual band PTT outputs has it all over the Icom rigs.

The matter is now worse than ever.

In previous Icom models, you had the ability to use the VSEND setting to UHF, which meant you could set the VSEND to 70cm. and 23cm. and the HSEND to 2 metres - provided of course that you restricted all satellite operations to 2/70.

But in the 9700, with its individual PTT settings for each band (SET > Connectors > ACC SEND Output) through the same PTT (pin 3 SEND) that is not possible.

A case of "one step forward and two steps back"

No doubt you will figure out a work around for the issue!

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

[VK6XLR]

Hi Rick
.....
I am trying to ascertain WHICH BAND is SELECTED (ie: WHITE not GREY) immediately before you go into transmit.
Can you make a note of that please, and let me know.

In Satellite mode, I've found you can PTT anytime as it's always the Sub band that transmits. The TX indicator is ON for the Sub band. Does not matter which band is selected (white).

SatPC32 keeps the 9700 on Main band and briefly selects Sub band to set new frequency. So most times it'll be the Main band that selected.

Hope that makes sense.

[VK4GHZ]

SatPC32 keeps the 9700 on Main band and briefly selects Sub band to set new frequency. So most times it'll be the Main band that selected.

OK.
The sequencer requires the bottom band (TX) is selected (white) before going into transmit.
That means SAT32PC won't be compatible with this.