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Author Topic: Which would you do?  (Read 260 times)

W4NBO

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Which would you do?
« on: January 19, 2021, 01:34:50 PM »

Thinking of a future satellite station project.

My yard has tall trees, antennas, towers, 3 phase power lines up 2 sides, buildings, neighbours, etc. My back yard borders a city park with 2 ballfields back to back with a near wide open horizon with nearly nothing above 10-15 degrees in all directions. The ballfields are sporadically used with almost no use in the winter. Its great for viewing the ISS etc.

Setting up a satellite station, would you set up one at home or I thought about setting up one on a small wagon with nice pneumatic wheels complete with batteries, 2x FT817, 2 beams at first to turn by hand then add some automation to them, laptop if needed etc to go to the park.

I realize there are tradeoffs for both and at some point may set up both. Of course I could do the HT and arrow beam thing but was looking for a bit more capability range/signal and later digital modes etc.

Advantages would be lower noise, clear horizon, thus longer/better qso time. Disadvantages weather, darkness, police calls, lol (been there several times with portable qrp op's). Pulling the wagon over there is actually a positive for me, good exercise.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Chuck
AF4O




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N6MST

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2021, 02:19:47 PM »

If I were setting up a dedicated satellite station and I wasn't interested in HT/Arrow route (which BTW is a lot of fun minus the current short supply of operational FM birds in orbit) I would get an IC-9700 instead of two 818's if you are purchasing equipment brand new. Not much more expensive and purpose-built for satellites, basically.
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W4NBO

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2021, 02:50:25 PM »

Thanks for the reply. I already have the 817s.
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KF4HR

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2021, 03:22:01 PM »

I'm in the process of constructing a M2 LEO PACK V/U an tenna system with a Yaesu Az/El rotor and quick disconnects for RF, rotor, and V & U preamps.  Until I can get my tower up, I have it temporarily mounted on a weighted tripod mount.  I'm considering adding wheels to it so I can roll it out of my garage when I want to use it.
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W4NBO

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2021, 07:46:13 PM »

KF4HR - Thanks for the reply. I have the 2x FT817 and thinking of building some quagi's and building preamps. I have built quagi's in the past with success. I do not have an az-el rotor so thinking of manually adjusting the elevation and some sort of rotor for azimuth maybe on a simple timer to start running at the beginning of the arc. And yes quick disconnects to bring the electronics inside when not used. These 817s been sitting around here for years unused. I guess I could sell them and buy a more satellite friendly rig. But that ball field is a big wide open area over there. Not very common around here unless its in the middle of a field. Mount it all on a garden cart with pneumatic wheels and roll it over there about maybe 50 yards away.
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WE4B

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2021, 07:49:12 PM »

I use two 817s almost exclusively on both linear and FM satellites (I’ve got HT’s for APRS digital satellites). I think you will be pleased with them as they do a great job. Have fun!
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W4NBO

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2021, 11:29:44 PM »

WE4B - Yes they are neat little radios. It will take me quite some time to get all this together but it sure looks like a good project. I have played with satellites in the past but only with level beams. I heard Owen Garriott back eons ago and got several shuttle contacts on packet by pointing 26el stacked beams on 2m while they were near the horizon. But have never done much at all with the hamsats other than listen to the FM transponders. Thanks!
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WE4B

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #7 on: January 20, 2021, 12:22:53 AM »

I’ve got pictures of all the equipment that I use on my web site:

http://we4bravo.com

I work strictly portable. Part of the reason is due to where I live but mainly just because it’s fun. There’s no need for a 26 element beam to work any of the satellites that are in orbit. An Arrow or Elk antenna will work just fine. Have fun!
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W4NBO

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Re: Which would you do?
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2021, 07:35:30 PM »

Good information Jeff. Thanks!
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