The arrow antenna using only 2 sections (yes it's cold outside today!)
Firstly, go grab your old Baofeng radio,
blow off the dust and find that programming cable (Or borrow one)
Next grab a copy of the programming
software called CHIRP from this link
Then grab a copy of our "code
plug" from this link, should work on several
radio's
Update your Baofeng in the
usual way *search google / YouTube* or ask us if you need help!
We can write a separate blog
post if needed, or we can program your radio for you (just cover postage)
Now you will need a decent
satellite programme to know when a satellite is going to be passing your
location. I use Go Sat Watch on my iPhone it’s
about £8, however you can choose / test from the following list at the amsat website for PC based
software.
The most important piece of
equipment is the aerial, you can spend a lot of money on the Arrow or Elk type
antennas, however you can very easily build your own, I suspect our club will
be running another build-a-thon to build a satellite antenna and frequency
splitter in the next few months, take a look at this link which shows how to make
a very cheap dual band antenna with enough gain to work into the FM satellites.
So now you are armed with your
fully programmed radio, some software to predict a satellite pass and an antenna
to proudly wave around and amuse the public.
Check the status of the
Satellite here: http://www.amsat.org/status/
Some satellites have 2 modes
telemetry(data) and voice, please check to avoid disappointment!
The FM Satellites you will want
to look out for are:
ISS (mainly to listen to school
contacts / digipeater / SSTV when on)
Initially I would suggest the
first several passes get used to tuning the radio and tracking the satellite
(pointing the antenna)
from our "code plug"
start at sat name in position 3, point the aerial in the general direction
suggested by your software / app. Depending on your aerial configuration, if it
is crossed you will need to twist side to side a little to get best reception.
as you start to hear the satellite slowly track (move the antenna along the
horizon) when the reception starts to break up move to the next channel (4) on
the radio programme. keep moving the antenna, and tuning the radio for the
duration of the pass.
Once you have listened to a few
passes it’s time to try and make a short QSO, it’s all about timing and not
having enough hands to talk, change frequency and point the antenna...Have your
butler help you out.
My first attempt for a QSO on
SO-50 satellite, I was heard in Guernsey
Have a listen to the recording here
My first full QSO between Peter
2E0SQL and myself M0JFP was via BY70-1
Have a listen to the recording here (note this satellite is no longer in service)
Here are a couple of recording where I worked several stations in a pass, and what you can look forward to on the FM satellites. I was operating GB1DD
AO91 worked the following: Sv55mc g0iiq ii2vzme G1EC f8dzy s54l
https://www.dropbox.com/s/jv0oy42evhjaawm/91%20gb1dd.%20%20Sv55mc%20g0iiq%20ii2vzme%20G1EC%20f8dzy%20s54l.m4a?dl=0
AO92 worked the following: ea1ciu and f8dzy M/ON4AUC
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e7332ukiphgy7ay/92%20ea1ciu%20f8dzy-trimmed.m4a?dl=0
I really encourage you to have
a go and see what results you can get, please share with us either e-mail jamesm0jfp@virginmedia.com or via our Twitter feed @m0jfp
73 and good DX
M0JFP
