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

Smiley Super Stick II 2 Meter Antenna

This antenna is HUGE, it dwarfs my radios but it works so well. This one is in a go bag but it rarely gets used. I bought it on a whim, I like my other Smiley so I thought I would give this one a try...

Smiley Super Stick II 2 Meter Antenna

Kenwood TH-D72A

I bought the Kenwood TH-D72A on the suggestion of a local mentor that is helping me to learn to work satellites and from Don Arnold who makes supportive videos for the TH-D72A and the newer model, TH-D74. The D72A is a full duplex radio whereas the D74 is not. Duplex meaning I can listen on one band and transmit on another simultainiously. The ISS changes protocols every couple of months and at this time, it is transmitting voice through its repeater with cross band operations. The uplink (from earth to ISS) is on 2m while the downlink (ISS to earth) is on 440. Working satellites takes a full duplex radio so it was an easy decision to get a full duplex radio.

I don’t usually buy used, I don’t want to have to deal with problems of wear and tear before I start to use it but these radios are expensive. I found one for less than $300 with all the accessories that I needed but it turns out that the person that sold it to me misrepresented the condition of the radio. Its fine the way it is but the buttons are worn through, the volume knob is loose and it was scratched as well as missing the speaker mic rubber cover. I found a place to replace the parts, ordered them and cleaned up the complete kit and polished the little window.

I’m all set.

I bought a Nifty manual for it as I find them satisfactory and they cut to the chase. I configured the full duplex cross band for ISS operations and my phone alerted me to a good ISS pass. I had four minutes to get ready and got the tripod/iphone/time-lapse going, the Arrow yagi connected and spotted the ISS. But I forgot to add the 440 elements on the yagi antenna! I was doing APRS through the ISS on 2m which does not need the 440 elements so I took them off to make the Arrow lighter and easier on the wrist.

I wasn’t ready!

So I pulled it off the BNC connector and put on the Diamond 77 and my first use of the TH-D72 was with the ISS. I could hear many people talking from all over. There was a Japan and USA conversation going on and I tried to make contact but it was so busy and I’m really slow with phonetics. My wife told me, “just listen.”

So that’s what I did.

My entry about the D72 is not about the radio itself, this is about my story and how I use it. There are plenty of resources including the manual which can be looked at for free from the Kenwood support site.

I really like the radio and I can see myself learning to work satellites with it.

Baofeng UV-5R Radio

 

I have purchased a total of 3 UV-5R and have given two away to friends for birthday presents. I want to get my friends into Amateur radio and there is nothing like getting into it with a radio to lure you further.

I have one myself that I use now and then to listen to FM radio broadcast.

I won’t write much about the UV-5R only to say that I have one, they are nice and cheap little radios but they are what they are, inexpensive but not to FCC standards.

Some people like them, I am one of them but, in no way is this a radio that I will use for Amateur radio.

I would not hesitate to give mine away as a gift to someone that needed it or was really interested in getting their license. I think that they are good calling cards, that’s about it.

Anyway, there you go…

Diamond SRH77CA 2m Antenna

 

Diamond SRH77CA 2m Antenna

I usually use this one with my Kenwood TH-D72

It's a nice antenna that I have used for 2m voice through the ISS.

Diamond SRH320A Triband HT Antenna

 

Diamond SRH320A Triband HT Antenna

2m/1-1/4m/70cm

I use this antenna on my Kenwood TH-D74 It is a SMA connection. I use a SMA to BNC adapter on the radio and a BNC to SMA adapter on the 320. With the two adapters back to back, it still appears normal. The Diamond BNC adapters are black, low profile and look great as well as preserve the small SMA connection.

My experience is limited but I've used it for APRS through the ISS. It works well as an upgrade to the stock antenna.

As I gain experience with the TH-D74, I'm sure that this will be the antenna that I will be using the most.

Kenwood TH-D74

 

Kenwood TH-D74 Tri-Band radio.

If the Yaesu FT-3D is a Porsche, this is a Bugatti Veyron! Wow, what a radio! I am currently programming it by hand to learn the architecture. 

I put a Diamond SMA to BNC adapter on it to facilitate ease of change of antennas. I'll use my quarter wave ground, the Yagi and a Smiley Tri-Band on it changing them frequently.

Anyway, I will add more to this page as I do more with it.

Smiley Tri-Band

 

Smiley Tri-Band

I bought this one for my Kenwood TH-D74A.

Arrow Antenna "Yagi" Hand Held

Yeah, this is a really nice antenna. Within the first five minutes of using it, I had already received APRS transmissions through the ISS (International Space Station)

I had seen extensive use of this antenna in the many videos that I watched to prepare myself for using it.

Arrow Antenna

1/4 Wave Ground Plane Antenna

Like most of what I do, I got the inspiration to build my own home base "fixed" antenna from videos available on the Internet.

I had an old windsurfer aluminum mast that I had previously used for our pirate flag. It is 14' and tapered, perfect for my first home brew antenna. I watched a video on it, sourced the materials and built it with the help of my neighbors in pretty short order.

2 Meter VHF Quarter Wave Ground Plane Antenna

Diamond RH77CA HT/Scanner 2m/70cm + receive up to 900HZ Antenna

This is the BNC connector version of this popular hand held 2m radio antenna. I've choose this one quite a bit for general use for 2m, FM radio and I will try it sometime for APRS and APRS through the ISS.

Diamond RH77CA

Diamond RH519 HT Antenna

I purchased the Diamond RH519 HT as a replacement to the standard antenna that comes with the FT-3D. Again, it is the BNC version to facilitate the ease of connection and disconnect. It's an all around antenna due to the short length. It's also lightweight and petite. It seems to work well and it is the antenna that is usually found on my little Yaesu.

Diamond RH519 HT

Diamond RH3 Mini Antenna

I often will monitor a FRS channel at work and my FT-3D sits on my desk. I don't need to receive outside transmissions, just within a couple of hundred feet so I choose the RH3 as a compact alternative to the original antenna and is the BNC connector version to facilitate ease of connect and disconnect.

Diamond RH3 Mini Antenna