·
A Repeater in Space?
Well, nearly. The uplink (equivalent to a repeater input, or
where you transmit) and downlink (equivalent to a repeater output, or where
you receive) are on different bands. The point of having the uplink and
downlink on different bands is that it allows you to monitor the downlink
(normally using headphones to stop feedback), and check that you are making it
in. If the uplink and downlink were on the same band, we’d need some expensive
filters so that we could listen to the downlink without our uplink de-sensing
the receiver. It’s possible to operate without listening to the downlink, but
it’s not recommended unless you’re pretty experienced. Being able to hear your
signals coming back from the satellite will save you a lot of frustration!
·
How far can I get?
The coverage area, or footprint, (see figure 1) is huge compared
to a terrestrial repeater, and is typically 3,000 miles in diameter. Depending
on the pass (how the satellite travels relative to the groundstation),
most if not all of Europe is usually available, together with Northern Africa.
It’s often possible to operate across the Atlantic. This means that there are
potentially hundreds of thousands of amateur stations who could simultaneously
operate the satellite. With only one channel, this satellite is inevitably very
busy! QSOs are generally contest style, with an exchange of callsigns, QRA
locators, signal reports, and occasionally names are exchanged.
·
Prediction
The
satellite is continually orbiting the Earth. This means that it is not always
visible to an observer. So how do you know when it will be visible? The answer
is to use prediction software. There are a number of software packages
available, including freeware. Check out http://www.amsat.org and
http://www.amsat-uk.org. In addition, there is a web site
http://www.heavens-above.com available to do predictions for you.
Having
a prediction listing together with a magnetic compass will allow you to plan
the pass in advance by knowing where to point the antennas. If you’re not
completely confident about the software you’re using yet, having a listing
printed out in advance will save a lot of ‘computer panic’ during the satellite
pass.
·
Doppler
Because
the satellite is moving relative to the ground station, it’s necessary to be
aware of a phenomenon known as Doppler shift. This is similar to the
apparent drop in frequency you hear when a police car screams past with its
siren on. When the satellite is hurtling towards you, the frequency appears
higher than when it is going away from you.
o
As
a rule of thumb, at the beginning of each satellite pass (known as AOS,
or acquisition of signal) on the 436.800MHz downlink, the frequency on the
downlink will appear at the observer to be about 10kHz above the
published frequency. At the end of each satellite pass (known as LOS, or
loss of signal) the downlink will appear to be about 10kHz below the
published frequency. The frequency on the satellite in fact remains constant.
o
On
the other side of the coin, on the uplink on 145.850MHz, in order for this
frequency to be correct at the satellite, you can uplink at about 3kHz below
the published frequency at AOS, and 3kHz above at LOS. In practice, it’s
generally not necessary to adjust the uplink on a 2m FM uplink, but you will
benefit from being able to tune the downlink. On some radios it’s possible to set
the uplink frequency together with the 67Hz PL tone into a memory, which will
help.
o
It’s
possible to automatically correct for Doppler using a suitable computer program
and transceiver.
·
Equipment
A commonly held
misconception is that you need large Yagi arrays and expensive rotators to
operate satellites, not to mention expensive radios in the £1k bracket. This is
not true! To operate SO-50, you need a radio that can receive FM on 70cm and
transmit 5W FM on 2m with a 67Hz PL tone, i.e., a typical handheld radio these
days. You can also use two separate radios, one on each band, equally well. If
you use a single dual band radio, it’s extremely worthwhile using one which allows
you to transmit on one band while simultaneously receiving on another. Ideally
the radio should be able to tune to within 5kHz so that you can correct for
Doppler. Pre-programming the radio’s memories will help here if you’re using an
FM only radio. Be aware that some ‘satellite-ready’ radios have a problem
setting PL tones in satellite mode. In addition, the TS-2000 has a nasty S9+
birdie on the downlink of SO-50.
The
old adage, “if you can’t hear them, you can’t work them” is especially true in
satellite operation. So before considering increasing your ERP, concentrate on
your downlink! This can either be with antenna mounted low noise preamps,
better quality coax and/or better antennas, depending on the configuration.
Because
the signals on the downlink are not always very strong, and because the
downlink will have fading due to polarisation changes, it’s recommended that
the receiver’s squelch is opened permanently during the pass.
It is tricky to receive SO-50 using just the rubber duck antenna supplied
with most hand held radios because the downlink is only about 100mW. Using a
small hand-held directional antenna will help enormously. Even an HB9CV, or
alternatively a three element yagi will make quite a difference on the
downlink. For SO-50, you shouldn’t need more than about 10W ERP to make
contacts, but this is assuming there’s no other stations running QRO and have
insensitive receivers. There’s nothing more frustrating than knowing that
you’re making it in (by listening to yourself on the downlink), only to be
trampled on by a station who clearly cannot hear the satellite at all. These
operators are known as alligators – all mouth and no ears.
One
antenna, now available in the UK from AMSAT-UK is the Arrow Antenna (Fig. 3) (http://www.arrowantennas.com/146-437.html)
which is infamous in the amateur satellite community. Alternatives include
homebrewing your own antenna. Two WA5VJB antennas
(http://www.clarc.org/Articles/uhf.htm), one for 70cm and the other for 2m
mounted orthogonally on the same boom (http://www.g6lvb.com/HomebrewArrow.htm),
or commercially, the Cushcraft A270-6S.
The
real benefit of these hand held Yagis over a combined azimuth and elevation
rotator system is that the operator has feedback and can very rapidly correct
for polarisation mismatch by turning the boom along its axis.
·
Operator conveniences
SO-50
passes are short (normally only 14 minutes or less), so preparation will pay
off. It also needs a control operator to switch the transponder on. The
transponder is on a ten-minute timer before it switches off again. Because
SO-50 requires manual control to switch it on, you may find that listening for
the satellite at weekends and evenings will be more fruitful, when there are
more likely to be control operators available.
Consider
all the tasks you’ll be doing:
o
Retune
due to Doppler: on FM-only radios, pre-program five memories in 5kHz steps into
the memories for the downlink: 436.810, 436.805, 436.800, 436.795, 436.790. The
start of the pass will be at 436.810 and will decrease in frequency.
o
Key
the PTT: you might want to consider a foot switch. Beware of VOX: the VOX tail
delay can hamper the rapid QSO style on FM satellites. There is a short 1/2s
delay for the PL tone to be recognised.
o
Hold
the microphone: a headset/microphone combination is a good idea, giving you a
free hand. Use headphones to avoid feedback in full duplex operation!
o
Point
and orient the antenna: although the antennas are light, your arm will start to
ache during the pass!
o
Check
the predicted heading and elevation with the prediction listing and a compass:
it’s worth preparing for the pass by tracking the predicted pass of the
satellite, ensuring that there are no obstructions.
o
Log
the QSOs: a cassette recorder or dictation device helps a lot here.
o
Have
a QSO in a very busy channel: patience is a virtue here. It is likely that you won’t succeed on your first attempt,
and this is where preparation and the learning experience come in.
·
Good luck!
Satellite operation is a challenge, both technically and
from an operating perspective. But you don’t need large or expensive equipment
to operate them. Remember to support AMSAT-UK who represent amateur satellite
operators in the United Kingdom. Finally, welcome to the space age and the
world of amateur satellites!
73, Howard G6LVB
Operating SO-50
SO-50 is a satellite in the Amateur Satellite
Service providing functions very similar to a traditional terrestrial FM
repeater. It’s available for general amateur use, and described below are the
operating techniques and equipment used to access it. As with many areas of
technology, satellite operation includes its fair share of jargon. Although not
exhaustive, a number of these terms are used in this introduction, with
corresponding explanations. Good luck & welcome to the world of amateur
satellites!