SATELLITE STATUS: Installed - December 3, 2009
SATELLITE STATION CONFIGURATION: FT-847 or FT-817 MODE-V (145-MHz): High Gain Antenna: M2 2m7 7-element Yagi (KLM-22C 22-Element X-Yagi will replace it next spring) (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 436CP42 X-Yagi (RHCP) Low Gain Antenna: Lindenblad (mounted at 30-feet on HF tower) Receiver: 0.5-dBNF Preamp Power Output = 60W MODE-L (1268-MHZ): Antennas: 45-Element Loop-Yagi Transmitter: DEMI 144/1268 Tx-Converter (installed on elevation crossboom) Power Output = 3-15W
MODE-S (2401-MHz):
Antenna-A (HEO): 33-Inch Offset Feed Dish with 5-1/4 Turn Helical Feed
LNA-#1: MKU-232A2 0.6-dBNF
Antenna-B (LEO): Commercial patch array
LNA-#2: DEMI 0.8-dBNF
Receiving convertors: Drake#1 2401/123-MHz or Drake#2 2401/435-MHz
fed by either LNA.
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 is provide by the Unitrac-2000.
NOTE: 144 and 432 antennas are equipped with a T/R coax relay to enable
transmit or receive function. On 1268 a DEMI 144/1268 transverter will be located at
the antenna and provides up to 15w.
FALL 2006 Update:
At the new QTH 144, 432, and 2400 antennas will be mounted
on a ten-foot top-section of Rohn-25 tower. The tower will
layover for maintenance on a hinged base. The Yaesu B5400
az-el rotator will be mounted on a section of mast run above
the tower about 5-feet. The equipment box will be mounted
on the side of the tower at about 4-feet for easy maintenance
and will house the same equipment that was used on the
roof-top installation at the old QTH.
Installation of the satellite tower is not planned until spring
2009.
FALL 2007 Update:
The schedule slipped some on getting the new
satellite tower set up. The hinge-over base
is mounted in concrete and tower is ready for
installation of the Yaesu B5400 az-el rotator,
cross-boom and antennas.
(check back for progress reports)
FALL 2009 Update:
OLD QTH Photos (click to see larger image):
- Old four-band array
- Two views of the Control box
- Two views: M2-436CP42, 33-in dish, 45-loopyagi
- Roof top base
- S-band converters (Drakes)
- S-band helix fed dish with wx-proof preamp case
- Rooftop Antennas (elevated)
New Photos to follow in spring 2009.
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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