W7BRS Satellite Operations
Mast with three antennas:2m beam. 1.2Ghz helix, and 70cm beam
Larger picture
Close up of 1.2Ghz before
mounting.
Another picture of 1.2Ghz before mounting
Sounds From Space
"If this were easy, everyone would be doing it."
--Bob Johnson, W7LRD
But to that I say, man it sure is fun!
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Puget Sound Repeaters for 1.2Ghz
| OUTPUT |
COUNTY |
LOCATION |
CALL |
TONE |
INPUT |
| 1290.95 |
WHATCOM Co. |
KING MT |
N7FYU |
103.5 PL |
1270.95 IN |
| 1292.0 |
KING Co. |
SEATTLE |
W7SRZ |
103.5 PL |
1272.0 IN |
| 1292.2 |
KING Co. |
TIGER MT |
KB7CNN |
None |
1272.2 IN |
| 1292.3 |
KING CO. |
BALDI MT |
N7FSP |
None |
1272.3 IN |
| 1292.4 |
PIERCE Co. |
TACOMA |
KB7CNN |
None |
1272.4 IN |
| 1293.0 |
SNOHOMISH Co. |
HAYSTACK |
W7ERH |
103.5 PL |
1273.0 IN |
| 1294.5 |
SIMPLEX CALLING Freq. |
| 1296.1 |
CW/SSB CALLING Freq. |
W7BRS 2m and 70cm Satellite Tower
Tall angle of satellite antennas
Satellite antennas
2m Satellite Antenna
Another angle of satellite antennas
Satellite Tower Installation
Below are links to photos of the satellite tower construction.
Materials are:
- 2 10ft 1.5in square tube joined with angle iron. Overall mast height 20ft.
- 2 rotator platforms. The bottom platform will hold a Ham-IV
rotator and the top platform has 2in hole co-axial of the rotator below.
Through the hole will be attached a 14ft 1.75in O.D. Alumunum mast
of respective wall-thickness and alloy for strength and weight
advantages (stronger and lighter).
- Attached to mast will be other UHF and higher frequency antennas
dedicated to local terrestrial use.
- The plan is to install the Yaesu G-550 at the top of the 14ft
mast and then place 2m, 70cm and 1.2Ghz antennas controlled by Elevation
rotator (G-550), and Azimuth rotator (Ham-IV).
- Total length from feed point to radio is approx 50ft electrically.
Photos
Updated Photos with Rotators
Mast and both Rotators
Bottom Rotator (Hy-Gain Ham-IV)
Top Rotator (Yaesu G-550)
Rotator Controls at Operating Station
Overall Installation
Base of mast on hinge
Top mount
Notes: The 3ft section of 1.5in square tube is doubled up with another
inside the shack bolted through and sandwiched around the frame of the
shack. The top mount is further lag-bolted vertically through the
top-plate of the shack frame. The mast isn't going anywhere. ;-)
Rotator platform and guide
Wide angle of installation
Tall angle of installation
Notes: The flood light mast is going to be removed prior to
installing antennas, so there will be ample (10ft) of gap between the
apex of the roof of the shack and the Elevation boom (horizontal)
attached to the Azimuth boom (vertical).
- Steel is used in the mast, platform and supports.
- 5/16in stainless hardware is used throughout for attaching the mast
and it's parts.
- The mast is installed on a hinge at the bottom that allows the whole
structure to be lowered and serviced for safety and convenience.
Other References
Sources for material and information
Satellite Data Sample
Sources
Diplexers: Diamond is better than MFJ
Data for URLs provided by fellow local amatuer radio operator KC7QYR
Software:
STSORBIT PLUS (free)
WinOrbit: Satellite Tracking Software (free)
Satscape (free)
Nova for Windows (commercial - Used by NASA)
Orbitron - Satellite Tracking System (free)
USEFUL/INTERESTING SITES:
AMSAT-NA
US Naval Academy Satellite Lab
Orbitessera
Skynet
Space Track
