This year we have decided to improve upon our satellite operations from the Isle of Lewis, the original plan was to use a simple setup of a Yaesu FT-817 and a Arrow satellite yagi – although this setup works amazingly well as we proved last year on the Isle of Mull it does have the downside of making you stand outside in all weathers, and this year we are further north!
Wimo X-Quads setup for testing in G1SAAs garden
So this year we plan to trial Bob G1SAA’s satellite equipment from the island, the new station comprises Wimo X-Quads for 2m and 70cms with SSB electronic Preamps (SP-2000/SP-7000) and a Yaesu G-5400B Az/EL rotator supported on a speaker stand.
Inside the shack we’ll be using a Foxdelta ST-2 tracker (LVB Clone) connected to the rotator & ICOM IC-910 transceiver, this will all be controlled using a laptop running SatPC32.
We’ve had a number of people asking what satellites we will be using, these will be the ones we target;
| Satellite | Uplink (MHz) | Downlink (MHz) | Mode(s ) | Website |
| AO-7 (Mode B) | 432.125 – 432.175 | 145.975 – 145.925 | SSB / CW | http://goo.gl/s2p4za |
| VO-52 | 435.225 – 435.275 | 145.925 – 145.875 | SSB / CW | http://goo.gl/wk7R1v |
| FO-29 | 145.900 – 146.000 | 435.900 – 435.800 | SSB / CW | http://goo.gl/IjuHUq |
| SO-50 | 145.850 | 436.800 | FM | http://goo.gl/ibjXyx |
| AO-73 | 435.150 – 435.130 | 145.970 – 145.950 | SSB / CW | http://goo.gl/wqq7Rt |
All bar one of these are SSB/CW transponder satellites, see the AMSAT guide on linear transponder operating if you are unfamiliar with it, although our main focus will be SSB QSOs we can probably do CW as well however we’d recommend that you send in a sked, or ask on hf, so that we can make sure a suitable operator is available.
Of course if any other satellites with transponders become available we’ll of course endeavour to use those as well. And I’m sure you’ll still hear us using our Yaesu FT-817s and a Arrow satellite yagis if the weather is nice.
