Satellite Project

[KI4RVH]

Hopefully if I did it right there will be an attachment for a satellite antenna project. This is a fairly easy project. I want to thank Duncan for sending me the article. What I plan to do is have us build the antenna and then set a date where we can all try to use it to communicate through a satellite or the ISS repeater. Working the satellites can be a lot of fun. Using a dual band ht or a dual band radio is all you need to make it work. I'll be posting some general knowledge on Working Sats as well. Be sure to ask any questions you might have and I'll be glad to help or get Buddy the satellite guru in here to assist.

73

Chris

[KI4RVH]

I have my 440 Moxon Pair satellite antenna built. I will post some construction pics and a finished pic when time allows.

73

Chris

[KI4RVH]

Here are some construction pics. Its noy beautiful but its together.

73

Chris

[KC4UMO]

Looking good.
If I can get home in time tonight (brfotr dark) I will take pictures of mine and post them. Mine is a bit different than the ones you guys are building.
I never follow directions.

[N2RJ]

Pretty nice.

I would like to hear how it performs. I have an arrow antenna but never used it. Waiting for it to get a bit warm to go outside and make some satellite contacts.

[KI4RVH]

Originally Posted by N2RJ

Pretty nice.

I would like to hear how it performs. I have an arrow antenna but never used it. Waiting for it to get a bit warm to go outside and make some satellite contacts.

Hey Ryan,

I'll post here and let you and everyone know how it does. I'm looking forward to checking it out on the sats. Haven't had a chance yet. It works on all the local 440 repeaters and I can hear the EMS 2 counties away on it really good from here inside the house. Whether that is an indication of how good it receives satellites or not I don't know. My friend has an arrow we have used and it works very good. The one I built is not going to work as good as an arrow but the beauty of this is you don't have to aim it.

73

Chris

[KU0DM]

Finished my 2m elements, will post back with pics. soon.
Each has about a 1.5:1 SWR, good enough, not going to mess around with it since I finally got it the way I want it mechanically, lol.

Need to make the phasing line for it, then move on to the 440 ones!

[KI4RVH]

Originally Posted by KU0DM

Finished my 2m elements, will post back with pics. soon.
Each has about a 1.5:1 SWR, good enough, not going to mess around with it since I finally got it the way I want it mechanically, lol.

Need to make the phasing line for it, then move on to the 440 ones!

Good for you! We'll be ready for a Sat party soon. What did you use for elements on the 2 meter one? Can't wait to see the pics!

73

Chris

[KU0DM]

Been having trouble getting the 440 elements tuned, but did some more research: 440 is for the downlink, won't be transmitting on the 440 antennas, so they are put together, but are kind of crude with not the best SWR. But each one has a great pattern and some directionality! From 10 feet, pointed one at my radio area (computers, radios, electronics) and there was S9 noise, pointed the moxon 180 degrees away and it dropped to S1, that pattern amazes me.

Tomorrow will be working on the phasing and matching lines, then will post pics. of the entire assembly.

Wish me luck!

[KI4RVH]

Originally Posted by KU0DM

Been having trouble getting the 440 elements tuned, but did some more research: 440 is for the downlink, won't be transmitting on the 440 antennas, so they are put together, but are kind of crude with not the best SWR. But each one has a great pattern and some directionality! From 10 feet, pointed one at my radio area (computers, radios, electronics) and there was S9 noise, pointed the moxon 180 degrees away and it dropped to S1, that pattern amazes me.

Tomorrow will be working on the phasing and matching lines, then will post pics. of the entire assembly.

Wish me luck!

Good Job,

Look forward to seeing the pics.

73

Chris

[KI4RVH]

We're about to be done with the Satellite project. Still time to get on board if you want to! We designate a day soon and try to work each other on the Sats.
Any questions shoot Duncan or me a PM.

73

Chris