Just got my General license and want to try the linear transponder satellites like OSCAR satellites that carry a linear transponder for two-way communications in real time. LEO satellites often have FM cross-band repeaters or linear transponders. FM satellites are great for beginners, while linear transponders allow several people to make contacts at once. I have an IC-9700 and basic VHF/UHF yagis. What's the best tracking software for a beginner? Linear birds utilize a transponder, which provides anywhere from 20-50 KHz of bandwidth to use. This means multiple people can make contacts through a linear satellite simultaneously.

Start with Gpredict - it's free and works great for beginners. Popular picks include AMSAT Online Pass Predictions, Gpredict, and Ham Radio Deluxe. You'll get real-time maps, elevation graphs, and azimuth headings. Download fresh Keplerian elements daily and you'll be good to go.

Your IC-9700 has built-in satellite operation modes which really helps. Most linear transponders today are inverting, meaning that as you tune the uplink higher, the downlink will decrease, and vice versa. It's important to note this is a setting in many satellite-ready radios that can be easily mis-configured. Make sure you understand inverting vs non-inverting transponders before your first attempt.

Welcome to linear transponder operation! Finding yourself is a challenge often met with frustration by novice satellite users trying to score their very first contact on a linear transponder. Here are some basics to consider: Understand the relationship between inverting and non-inverting transponders. I recommend starting with a strong satellite like RS-44 for your first attempts.