Coaxial Cable

I purchase my coaxial cable from Ham Radio Outlet. I am getting to know the guys here at our local store and they are very helpful with choosing the right cable for my application. 

As I progress in my knowledge, I will revisit this page and populate it with my findings. Until then, I will go by the formulas that my friends suggest.

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

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.

Arrow Antenna 1/4 Wave Ground Plane 144 - 440

I made my own 1/4 wave ground plane right after I got my technician license. I didn’t know if this was going to be my thing. I had an aluminum sailboard mast already in use for my hand made antenna. It worked well but after using the Arrow Yagi for APRS through the ISS and it working like a charm, I knew I was going to get the Arrow 1/4 wave. This one is the combo that ads in a 440 element.

Arrow makes really nice amateur radio antennas.

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

APRS - ISS (International Space Station) Communications

One of the first things that I wanted to do with my little Yaesu FT-3D was to receive and bounce packets through the ISS. As soon as I had built my 1/4wave ground plane antenna, I tried a few times with no success. Little did I know that it was not me, the ISS had a faulty connection on a prior space walk upgrade. Recently they did another space walk and repaired the system back to it's original configuration and I was able to connect.

First impressions are not about the radio but how big the space station is as it arcs across the sky. This thing is HUGE and it's not a pin point, it appears to be a big fuzzy dot cruising faster than airliners do, it's also bigger.

ARISS

Arrow Antenna

Yaesu FT-3D

Kenwood TH-D74a

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