Satellite Communications Presentation by Ron Herring W 7

Satellite Communications Presentation by Ron Herring W 7 HD Satellite Presentation v 5 1

Communication factors Satellite Presentation v 5 2

Communication factors part 2 Satellite Presentation v 5 3

Factors in Communication part 3 Satellite Presentation v 5 4

How distance affects loss Satellite Presentation v 5 5

What the atmosphere does to satellite communication Satellite Presentation v 5 6

Frequency bands Satellite Presentation v 5 7

Frequencies hams frequently use for satellite communications VHF 2 -meters HF 10 -meters UHF 440 MHz 2400 MHz S-band VHF and UHF are most common by far Satellite Presentation v 5 8

Easy Sats Satellite Presentation v 5 9

Easy Sat frequencies Satellite Presentation v 5 10

First contact Satellite Presentation v 5 11

Your First Contact Satellite Presentation v 5 12

ISS contacts Satellite Presentation v 5 13

Some of the tracking programs The Ham Radio Deluxe Satellite (HRD) program for Windows is very useful if you have a supported transceiver and/or computer-controlled az-el rotator. It can automatically adjust your radio for doppler shift. You may need to load an older version if the latest free version suddenly breaks due to a Windows update. Gpredict for Linux is very good. It is similar to Orbitron for Windows. Satellite Presentation v 5 14

http: //www. work-sat. com Satellite Presentation v 5 15

http: //Ac 6 v. com/satellite Satellite Presentation v 5 16

http: //www. amsat. org/status Which were heard and when Satellite Presentation v 5 17

http: //ka 7 fvv. home. comcast. net/~ka 7 fvv/satellite Satellite Presentation v 5 18

http: //www. ne. jp/asahi/hamradio/je 9 pel/satslist. htm Satellite Presentation v 5 19

What Does It Take At minimum – a dual-band VHF/UHF transceiver, a handheld is fine. Be aware that these can get HOT during extended operation. A small antenna – some satellites can be worked with the “rubber duck” that comes with most handhelds. Satellite Presentation v 5 20

The best gear to use A radio designed for satellite communications, such as the Kenwood TS 2000. Software designed for satellite communications, such as the satellite module in Ham Radio Deluxe, which controls the radio AND a compatible antenna rotor. Satellite Presentation v 5 21

What does the software do? Automatically adjust the frequency for the Doppler effect (think train whistle going by) Automatically position the antenna IF you have a compatible rotor controller. These are VERY expensive (we're talking $1500 for the rotor and controller). Maintain the latest TLE (two-line element) data from NORAD Satellite Presentation v 5 22

Where do I get software and data The TLE data, also known as Keplerian data, can be downloaded from http: //www. amsat. org/amsat/ftp/keps/current/nasa. all The Heavens-Above site at Munich Germany provides predictions for bright satellites, including Mir, ISS and the shuttle, plus Iridium satellite flares. The user may either select a nearby town or city or input their own coordinates. You can also set the time zone for accurate times. Satellite Presentation v 5 23

What can go wrong? The biggest problem I have run into is that the satellite prediction programs don't seem to agree on exactly WHEN the satellite will be in view. Use UTC only, since time zones can change with daylight savings. Heavens Above, Gpredict and Orbitron seem to be the most accurate tracking programs. You also have to make sure that the program you are using is compatible with your operating system. Windows keeps changing, so your program may no longer work Satellite Presentation v 5 after an 24 update.

Gpredict under Linux Installing Gpredict allows you to have a realtime view of satellite positions. It can automatically update the TLE files. Double-clicking on the satellite track brings up the Satellite Info window, where you can select Transponders to get frequency information. Satellite Presentation v 5 25

Gpredict transponders Satellite Presentation v 5 26

What if transponders has no info? You can add information to the transponders. Goto /usr/share/gpredict/data/trsp Add a file named as the satellite catalog number and add the information. See example on next slide. At minimum you would enter the [Mode V/U FM] data for an FM satellite. Satellite Presentation v 5 27

Sample trsp data Satellite Presentation v 5 28

Ham Radio Deluxe Satellite Screen Satellite Presentation v 5 29

Selecting a satellite in HRD Satellite Presentation v 5 30

Directly supported radios Satellite Presentation v 5 31

Read the notes They are VERY important Satellite Presentation v 5 32

Orbitron Main Screen Satellite Presentation v 5 33

Orbitron Prediction Satellite Presentation v 5 34

Serious satellite antenna system Satellite Presentation v 5 35

Lindenblad Antenna A highly effective antenna for satellite work is the Lindenblad. Simple to build, and relatively small. For detailed instructions, go to: http: //w 7 hd. ddns. info/sats/building-the-70 cm-lindenblad. pdf Satellite Presentation v 5 36

Materials for Lindenblad 1 ea 5 -way 1/2” PVC Tee 4 ea 4” 1/2” PVC pipes 4 ea #6 ground wire 11 -1/16” long 2 ea 1/2” conduit cut to 11 -1/4” 2 ea 1” corner braces with 1” 6 -32 screws and nuts 1 8 -foot length of RG-8 X Ground wire is inserted in the pipes 1/2” from end Satellite Presentation v 5 37

Lindenblad Performance SWR was less than 1. 3: 1 from 432 -449 MHz With the antenna at 10 feet, I then worked AA 5 PK on SO-50 and K 4 DG on FO-29 using my FT 897 D at 20 watts. I am hearing satellites from horizon to horizon. It also works well for SSB simplex and FM repeaters! Satellite Presentation v 5 38

But wait, there's more Places to find out more information: http: //ka 7 fvv. home. comcast. net/~ka 7 fvv/satellite. htm http: //www. amsat. org/status/ http: //www. work-sat. com/Home. html http: //www. ne. jp/asahi/hamradio/je 9 pel/satslist. htm http: //ac 6 v. com/satellites. htmhttp: //www. dxzone. com/catalog/Softwar e/Satellite_tracking/ http: //www. dxzone. com/catalog/Software/Linux/https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=b. T 131 WBHKxc Satellite Presentation v 5 39

Youtube videos on satellite tracking AE 6 LX Tim Tucker https: //www. youtube. com//watch? v=b. T 131 WBHKxc HO 68 https: //www. youtube. com//watch? v=xi. Su. LV 6 s. Ov. I SO 50 with UV 5 R https: //www. youtube. com//watch? v=JXBY 7 i. Sn 2 Qs Arrow Ant K 7 AGE https: //www. youtube. com//watch? v=6 A 9 Zr. HNk. G 9 E AO 51 K 7 AGE https: //www. youtube. com//watch? v=1 Hfvm. U_ut. I 8 HRD Satellite Tracking https: //www. youtube. com//watch? v=e. Ruw. ZW 0 uv. Fg KK 4 MND UV 5 R SO 50 https: //www. youtube. com//watch? v=mv 4 K 41 Ztax 8 Satellite Presentation v 5 40

Where to get it Go to http: //w 7 hd. ddns. info Click on one of these for copies of what you've seen! http: //w 7 hd. ddns. info/sats/ovarc-satellitepresentationv 5. ppt http: //w 7 hd. ddns. info/sats/ovarc-satellitepresentationv 5. pdf http: //w 7 hd. ddns. info/sats/building-the-70 cmlindenblad. pdf to get the build instructions. Satellite Presentation v 5 41

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