Equipment

• Dual Band Handheld - 2M & 70 CM
• Dual Band Antenna - 2M & 70 CM (3 elements on 2M - 6 elements on 70 CM)
• Duplexer for the antenna
• Satellite Tracking Program
• Portable Recorder (optional)

Communicating Over LOE Satellites

WB5CXC communicating over AO-51 using homebuilt antenna and handi talkie.

Finding the Satellites

There are several Satallite Tracking programs on the Internet. I use Orbitron, it works good and is Free. Do a search on the Internet and download the program. You will have to update the parameters for the satellites (select from list and download and install information). I would use the free programs until you get familiar with the satellite and if this is a mode you want to do before you invest in a paid program.

Oribitron in Simulation Mode. It give the Date & Time in the center. On the graphic it give the location of the satellite and also the footprint (area of communications - oblongated circle above US). It also shows the satellite path. The map is shaded in light (sunlight) and dark (night). In the lower right it give an indication of the azimult and elevation for the satellite. You will need to set it up for your location.

One of the functions of the program is the Prediction Section. With this you can get a schedule of the satellite passes for the coming days. Above is the setup screen for Predictions. It is setup for giving the orbits for the next 7 days (specific for your location), and will only give the SatelliteElevations above 10 degrees (with small antenna systems.

Program is doing the calculations. At the bottom it will give the Date - Time of the Pass - it give 3 things for each pass. The first is the AOS (Acquisition Of Signal), Mid Path (highest elevation), and LOS (Loss Of Signal), these are based on your setup, in this case it is 10 degress above horizon.

On 4/01/08 at 20:35 at 10 deg. elevation and 177 deg. azimuth you will get AOS (Acquisition of Signal).

On 4/01/08 at 20:40 at 63 deg. elevation and 258 deg. azimuth you have Mid-Path (highest elevation).

On 4/01/08 at 20:45 at 10 deg. elevation and 340 deg. azimuth you get LOS (Loss of Signal).

We set the prediction for elevations above 10 degrees. This is the practical limit using this type of equipment. We generally want a pass with elevations higher than 30 degrees. This will give a pretty good pass. In the above pass you have a ~ 10 minute that you should be able to make contacts. Usually anythibg above 30 degrees is a good pass, a pass above 50 degrees is a real good pass. Notice you have approximately 10 minutes on a good pass. You will be able to talk to stations in the US, Canada, and Mexico during a good pass.

Home Made Antenna with Diplexer (see Antenna Page for Details)

Arrow Diplexer

AO-51 Frequencies

Transmit 145.920

Receive 435.300 + 10 Khz doppler effect

Doppler Effect - satellite coming towards you - the frequency is higher - when the satellite is going away, the frequency is lower

Yaesu VX-5

The Yaesu VX-5 is setup to use both VFOs, A for Receive, B for transmit. I have the channels for the 430 Mhz band set at 5 Khz. When the signal starts to get garbled, I just rotate the frequency dial for the next frequency.

Operating

Set your handheld for receive on 435.310 and transmit 145.920 tone 67.0 hz

Open your squelch (satellite won’t be full quieting)

Observe the time and point your antenna toward the bearing (azimult) and elevation as indicated by the software

When the noise starts to fade you are starting to pick up the satellite

When the satellite starts to fade, rotate your antenna/position to get a stronger signal (changing the antenna phase). You change the antenna to follow the path of the satellite.

As the signal gets muffled or the satellite gets higher you will have to decrease the frequency due to the doppler effect.

Typical exchanges are short -

“This is Whiskey Bravo 5 Charlie X-ray Charlie, Echo Mike 2 0” (response) “Copy EM 20 - N5FGM EM 45”

The exchange is your call sign and your Grid Square - mine is EM20. Give your call using phonetics only.

MacDoppler - 3D Mode

MacDoppler - 2D Mode

MacDoppler is a Satellite Tracking program for the Mac computers. It is a paid commerical program. If you own a Mac you might want to get this program.

Satellite Foot Print