SATELLITE STATUS: Yaesu Rotator Repair Needed!
SATELLITE STATION CONFIGURATION: Kx3 + DEMI 144-28LP and K3 + DEMI L432-28 MODE-V (145-MHz): High Gain Antenna: M2 2m7 7-element Yagi (the 2m-eme array is also available) Low Gain Antenna: Lindenblad (mounted at 30-feet on HF tower) Receiver: 0.5-dBNF PREAMP Power Output = 5-50W MODE-U (435-MHz): High Gain Antenna: M2 436CP26 X-Yagi (RHCP) Low Gain Antenna: Lindenblad (mounted at 30-feet on HF tower) Receiver: 0.5-dBNF Preamp Power Output = 15-60W MODE-L (1268-MHZ): Antennas: 45-Element Loop-Yagi (to be re-installed in spring 2011) Transmitter: DEMI 144/1268 Tx-Converter (to be re-installed on elevation crossboom) Power Output = 3-15W
MODE-S (2401-MHz):
Antenna-B (LEO): 8 dBic RHCP patch antenna, L-Com HG2409PCR-NF
LNA: DEMI 0.8-dBNF
Receiving converters: Drake#1 2401/123-MHz or Drake#2 2401/435-MHz (switchable)
Preamps and 432 power power amp are housed in a WX-proof enclosure located at the
base of the Yaesu B5400 AZ-EL rotator. Auto-tracking of the B5400 and auto-tuning of
the FT-847 to be provide by the Unitrac-2000 in the future.
NOTE: 144 and 432 antennas are equipped with a T/R coax relay to enable
transmit or receive function.
FALL 2009 Update:
High winds 12/14-15 collapsed the mast. Antennas not hurt, but will not be repaired until spring 2011.
April 2011 Update:
NA1SS Achieves WAS - January 21, 2006:
At 2345 utc on Jan. 21, 2006 I worked Bill McArthur
on the International Space Station to give him his final
state (Alaska) for WAS from space. I operated on
144.490/145.800 MHz with 50w to my 9-dB gain
vertical (ARX-270) for easy Q-5 signals with Bill.
I kept my contact short so that Dale, KL7XJ, could work
Bill on the same pass. Here are images of the NA1SS QSL:
SUIT-SAT OBSERVATION - February 4, 2006: Suit-sat was tracked on pass 10 (coincides with ISS pass 41,227) with AOS at 1509utc at azimuth=211. Tuning 145.990 + or - 2KHz nothing was heard until az=178, el=6 where tones sounding like sstv were briefly heard. Tuning 145.989-145.988 produced FM quieting and brief moments of voice. They faded in/out too short for any recognision of text. This continued until az=121. el=5.7 where no more was heard. Closest range was 1354 km. Overhead passes at closer range, which do not occur here, might produce more recoverable audio. Equipment used (EME Station): 4xM2 2M-XPOL-20 yagis (Vert-pol), mgf-1801 preamp (0.15 dBNF), 130-feet of LMR-400, 3SK48 line amp (1.0 dBNF) before FT-847 in FM mode. Please check back for updates!
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