Radio > Space and SAT/ISS/EME/MS

Do you have SPACE?

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SigInt:


I have played with trying to communicate with SATs and with my enjoyment of Astronomy as a hobby I have tracked many with my Telescope. Many years ago when Mir was up there I was able to communicate with it. I have been keeping track of some of the efforts of the AMSAT group and followed ARISSAT-1.

This past week we had a member of the AMSAT group give an excellent presentation of the use and benefits of SAT based Space Comms. For a presentation that is very much the same check out the video below:

HamRadioNow Episode 2, Part 2 - AMSAT

Here is a link for an antenna for Space use and some information on how to communicate with SATs:

http://www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html

In a Non-EMP/CME environment SAT comms may be the most reliable manner of long distance comms especially using a small amount of power to get the job done. It is quick to set up and often is not as susceptible to time of day issues as HF is.

I plan to learn more and hopefully become proficient at it. I am betting that I can use my scope to help with tracking as I have already been successful at tracking them optically. I will probably have to get a weight set to offset the weight of the antenna.

Anyone here already do Sat comes or have the gear?

rah:
Wow Sig, you're really into that.  I'm impressed.  Have made many contacts using sat?  Thanks for posting the information.

spacecase0:
I have that same arrow antenna,
I got it to talk to satellites, but never managed to do it,
I keep meaning to do it, but have not got around to it
they always seem to orbit by when I am at work or when it is late.

SigInt:

--- Quote from: rah on March 18, 2012, 10:16:18 PM ---Wow Sig, you're really into that.  I'm impressed.  Have made many contacts using sat?  Thanks for posting the information.

--- End quote ---

Actually I have never used a SAT. I have listened to ISS and SAT COMMs but was never able to beat the pile up with my Discone antenna. The only reason I was able to hit the Mir was that it was DIRECTLY overhead one afternoon.

Here is a site that I helped setup concerning the ability to see the sky from Tucson.
http://tucsonskies.blogspot.com/

Heavens Above is a good resource for tracking SATs but there are much better apps that will control telescopes
http://www.heavens-above.com/amateursats.aspx
(You may have to register or use the links and info from Tucson Skies above. I recommend registering so you can set your own location)

You can use the site to SEE the ISS when it passes over.

Here is a photo I took of the ISS as it passed over at about 17.5K MPH around 300 miles away with my 8" Schmidt Cassegrain Scope

PLA:
Hey, that is exactly the antenna I got saterday at the yard sale, it has a 10w duplexer in the handle too. $132 just for the stick, WOW I got a screamer on that deal.

If you would like to try it I say bring it on, always ready to help a local. I have what looks like a 440 beam for the same thing, and I found it on the same site for $48

I got 3 radios and a power supply for free this week.

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