Join me as we explore different niches of the ham radio hobby! I focus on amateur radio satellites but also enjoy POTA, Field Day, and whatever obscure ham radio activity I come across.
I LITERALLY just bought one of the Arrow antennas to use for Field Day! 🙂 - And like you, I've beem running fixed polarization (vertical in my case) for satellite operation, with the resultant fading issues you mentioned, so I'm VERY interested in seeing how your project turns out, I may do the same! 73, Tom WA1LBK
Thanks Alex, really interesting video. I've dabbled with satellites with a fixed white stick antenna and managed to work a few passes using an FT-847 with Doppler control via the PC. I have an antenna interface for the Yaesu AZ/EZ mount but need to spend a little more time thinking about antennae but I really like what you have set up here with the polarisation options and the harnesses. It has been.a slow burner project - it got rudely interrupted by a project to set up for the QO-100 geostationary satellite which has been good fun, but I can feel the LEO satellite itch returning! Good luck with the field day, hope you manage to post some footage :) 73 de M0SNR
Congrats on a very nice design and setup- recently started playing with SATS here extremely minimal setup, you have given me a couple ideals to try with antennas-
Alex, great job putting this together. I've been wanting to modify Arrow antennas much as you did for a few years. Some questions. 1) does it make any difference whether you drill the holes in front of the existing cross beams or behind? 2) I'm assuming you made a 90 degree phasing harness; any specific plan you used? 3) any unique problems you experienced reconfiguring the Arrow antennas? Thanks & 73! Jeff, WK3U
I'm putting together a g5500 right now and the EL moves with just finger pressure...is this normal? The az is locked solid but even mild back pressure from the cables causes it to move.
No, the internal gears should prevent you from moving the AZ or EL rotors by hand. Make sure the mast is not slipping, it can be hard to clamp securely without crushing it.
They do look cool but I've been pretty content with my laptop-based setup. I would still be curious to test a SAT Tracker out and make a video for it (I could return it afterwards). Send me an email if that sounds interesting.
Many of us here participated in the SSTV event a few months back. It was quite fun and the whole WhatsApp group was filled with SSTV images for a couple of days. I used my IC2730, homebrew Moxon Yagi and Robot36 app in an Android phone. 73 de Jon, VU2JO.
Hi Alex, Chris here HS0ZJB I am thinking about getting into the satellite scene, I noticed this post is 10months old now how are you getting on with is system today (I may copy your idea's) tks
Excellent? Where you using a circular polarization for this contact? I was thinking about building with just a circular polarization rather than switchable or fixed horizontal/vertical with a switch as some do. Have you ended up just using one setting over the others since yours is switchable? is circular the way to go for satellite to avoid switching?
Alex! I was skipping around looking at videos about doubling up on Arrows on the same boom, and guess who I heard loud and clear as your first QSO with your X-pol pair? ME!!! I'm gonna email you and get a convo going, I'm setting up a mobile unit somewhat based on AG7NR's outstanding unit, but I have a pair of Arrows I want to mod, so thanks! 73's de Chris W7BMD
Hi, i would recommend a counter balance weight on the antenna motor shaft! And a slow start stop function on the motor! This will increase the lifespan of the motor and gears a lot!! 😉👍 And it will also make it go a lot more smoother and more accurate!😁
If I understand this correctly, are you using a satellite as a repeater station ? How far away was your first contact. Dont have my ham licence yet, but currently studying.
Great video! Lots of great info.. Do you have a write up on the project? Wondering if you jotted down a bill of materials and such? I have the “Alaskan” Arrow and was thinking of buying a second and doing the mods to make one for UHF & the other for VHF, like yours. :)
Please increase volume! I am using microphone preamp, following guitar amplifier following another power amplifier... in order to be able to hear your voice.
I will be using a Computerized GOTO Tripod & Mount used for telscopes to achieve what you are working towards. With load capacities between 20-45 pounds they are ample for the task. And are already computer controlled.
How are you balancing the weight of your antennas? Looks like most of the weight is towards the front. I like the use of a ladder as a tripod. Do you think you will build a case for the original rotator equipment and to include all the new stuff?
You know more about this than I do Alex, but to me your 2m elements look reversed. Shouldn’t the reflector be larger than both the director and the driven element? To my eye, your director looks larger. 73 Tom KC3QAC
Kanadyjski znak wywoławczy... To wasz Kanadyjski rząd popiera i promuje nacjonalistów Ukraińskich. To wasz Kanadyjski rząd popiera i daje schronienie mordercom i ludobójcom... To wasz Kanadyjski rząd popiera ludzi odpowiedzialnych za LUDOBÓJSTWO NA POLSKICH KRESACH WSCHODNICH, LUDOBÓJSTWO NA WOŁYNIU.. To wasi politycy mówią że nic nie wiedzieli o tym... tak jak Hitlerowcy oni również nic nie wiedzieli..
Thanks for the video. I'm stumbling along with Arduino and satellite as well. Trying different experiments along the way. Learning a lot about the Arduino IDE? Matlab/simulink with simscape. I have a yaesu rotor head but no control box. So, am planning an h bridge with pwm and driver off a mega. Have some motors that are geared down to 5 rpm. Want to model it in simscape first...then just map the rotor controls and return position signals back into the software as actual azel. Anyway...learning a ton. Love the ladder idea... Have a 3 meter dish or two and thinking of eme...but that's down the road. de Tom, W5XTT...73
Very cool I am dreaming of something like that in my futur., Question I have a similar set up but with one 2m arrow vertical and one 70cm amazon brand yagi horizontal. I noticed your gamma match are upwards and not downwards. I have mine mounted downward is that a flaw in my install?? Thanks
I agree it is an expensive setup which probably doesn't make sense if I was buying everything new. I've been very fortunate to know local hams who enjoy my antics, and they have generously donated some of the high value parts like the G-5400 rotor and preamps. Also this setup is really just an experiment and I wouldn't really suggest others copy it. I've been distracted with other projects recently and behind schedule for posting an update but I will address all of this in the future. Thanks for watching!
