We have received several requests to share the image and construction details for the Raspberry Pi Satellite Tracker Interface. We use the Sat Tracker interface with MacDoppler as part our Portable Satellite Stations. The Sat Tracker described in the article uses a Raspberry Pi Computer with a touch screen interface to interface MacDoppler to Green Heron Engineering RT-21 Rotator Controller(s). You can read about how to build your own Sat Tracker Interface via the link above.
Our 4.0 Satellite Antenna Array and new our 6 m Yagi are up on the tower and working with our Portable Satellite Station 3.0.
We had some early life problems to work through to get to this stage in our project. Initial testing revealed a defect in some of the equipment and a wiring error at one of the antennas. We rented a 50 ft Boom Lift to take the antennas back down to correct the problems.
The antennas are back up and all of the controls systems and feed lines are complete and connected to the station. The new station is performing quite well. You can read about the project and the initial performance testing via the link above.
I have to admit that I’ve had more opportunities than most to make a satellite contact. I have spent plenty of time at Fred, AB1OC’s QTH with his great satellite system and I’ve been to plenty of events with the satellite system up and running.
I first found an interest in satellites back in 2016 at Field Day when the club’s Portable Satellite Station 1.0 got its first use. I already had an Elk Antenna which I used for fox hunting and SOTA. Abby, AB1BY, Connor, KC1GGX and myself went out a few times and we had great luck in hearing the satellites, but no luck in making a contact. I was determined to make a contact on an HT and my Elk antenna, but satellites became a little bit of an afterthought. Every time I would try to make a contact it was last minute or I wasn’t in an ideal location or it was not a good pass to try.
AC1DC Making his first HT Satellite Contact
Well, this past Saturday I finally had luck in making contact via the satellites… with a little help from Fred, AB1OC, and Anita, AB1QB. We staked out the flight path in their backyard and I used my antenna, but with a headset – which helped as well! I made two contacts on AO-91 on a 42-degree pass!
There’s more to making contacts with the satellites than just pointing your antenna at them and throwing out your callsign. I’m definitely not an expert, but I’ve come to realize that you don’t have to be super precise with the aiming of the antenna, although I think the closer you are to being right on it the better your chances of being heard. Also, I would recommend finding a way to free up your hands as much as possible. A headset helps and a tripod really makes things easier – that antenna gets heavy pretty quickly! And most importantly, use your phone or some type of device to record your QSOs. I have a hard time remembering the callsign, especially when things are going quickly, let alone grid squares and names.
Of course, after accomplishing my goal of making contact with my HT and handheld antenna, we went inside and I made three more contacts on Fred’s satellite station on AO-07. I still plan on chasing the satellites on my HT, but I have a feeling Fred and Anita are going to see more of me on their satellite station!
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