Kenwood TM-D710GA

Kenwood TM-D710GA powered by a Astron power supply

Super excited to have my D710GA. I promised myself two years of HT's but that didn't happen. I feel like this radio is the next best step beyond a HT. However, I will not be using it in my car, I'll be powering it by a battery, keeping it in a Pelican case when not in use. I see this radio sitting on a small table, me sitting at a camp chair with my left hand on a Arrow II antenna mounted on a tripod!

My point is not to review this radio, there are plenty of great reviews of it online and most of the people that I know have a version of this radio. 

My point in this page is to show how I use it. 

Right now, it's on my kitchen table on top of a borrowed power supply. My Enno battery is currently in production. I've been tuning in various nets this weekend to make sure I have it programmed correctly. I'm using RT Systems software and loaded it up with stations off the AZ net calendar, all the satellite frequencies, and a good pull from RepeaterBook.

I'm about to put it up until my battery gets here. Soon as it arrives, I'll start trimming wires, adding in Anderson Power Pole connections and figuring out which cable and length I need, connectors, then what size case I need.

Till then, I'm finishing up my place on RimLink 442.850 here on Shaw Butte.

by Martin Davidoff, K2UBC

ISBN: 0-87259-658-3

Year 2000

The Radio Amateur's Satellite Handbook

Contents

1. Introduction to the Radio Amateur Satellite Program

1. History: ->1980

2. History: 1980 -> Future

2. Introduction to Satellite Communications

3. Getting Started

4. Satellite Analog Communications Plus (SSB/FM/PARROT/CW/ROBOT)

5. Satellite Digital Communications

6. Operating Notes

Technical Reference

7. Tracking Basics

8. Satellite Radio Links

9. Antennas for Space Communication: Basics

10. Antennas for Space Communication: Practical

11. Receiving and Transmitting

12. Satellite Orbits

13. Tracking Topics

14. OSCAR: Onboard Systems

15. So You Want to Build a Satellite

Apendix A Radio Amateur Satellite History: Dates and Frequencies

Apendix B Radio Amateurs Operating in Space: Summary

Apendix C Profiles of Current Amateur Satellites

Apendix D BASIC Programs

Apendix E Internet Sites of Interest

Apendix F Conversion Factors, Constants and Derived Quantites

Apendix G FCC Rules and Regulations Governing the Amateur-Satellite Service

Apendix H Satellite Tracking: Graphic Aids

 

Ahhh, good old frustration! So many new things to learn but I am enjoying it. Frustration reminds me of my Arrow II hand held LEO satellite antenna. The Arrow gets quiet prior to the start of reception. Frustration in my efforts remind me of this little quietness right before things get going.

I'm very fortunate to have a mentor to push me a little. I get a Messenger message prior to a satellite pass, I try hard to attend the satellite passes I am given the heads up on. There are so many people piling up trying to be heard, I know if my friend is on, he will answer me.

I can't wait till I answer everyone.

I won't forget what it was like to be a beginner at this.

Anyway, it's a very unusual pass time. Many people tell me, "I can just pick up the phone." Yes, I can just pick up the phone, I don't want to. I want to learn something new. There is nothing like tracking a small box 400 miles high moving at more than 17,000 miles per hour that you can't see with your eyes. Nothing like meeting people that are doing the same thing, meeting them by satellite and then meeting them in person.

Frustration is just a part of learning as is failure.

Although I don't enjoy the frustration, it helps with understanding.

Kenwood TH-D72 Tune Up

In the past, I have taken radios apart and "modified" them so that they would transmit and receive on the bands that I was allowed to operate on by the hang gliding association. I studied and passed a brief test and even carried a shrunk down license that proved I could transmit on the particular bands that we were allowed to. Taking apart the radio was always a daunting task. It was like surgery, which I have worked in for many years. Prepare a place to work, have the particular set of tools you anticipate and follow the recipe for the modification.

That's what I did today, no modifying, just cleaning and replacing, tightening and making sure my radio was in good shape, it is.

I bought my Kenwood TH-D72 used. The guy who sold it to me said it wasn't used much. He did not tell the truth. Needless to say I asked him to return my money, he sent back a $100 which made the deal ok. The key pad was worn and the radio was just dirty. I cleaned and polished the window, ordered new parts for it and today I replaced the keypad. I followed the suggestions of others that worked on theirs and after 2 hours of trying to reassemble, I figured I would just take it to HRO, it would not go back together. Hours of trying, it was just bound and I didn't want to break the case.

One last try...

Instead of placing the keys in the housing, I seated them on the radio insert and fit the housing back on and in less than 30 seconds, the housing was back in place, every button working, the radio shiny and ready for more.

Sometimes you just have to be patient and try things a little different.