Ham Radio Satellite Contacts on my Mini Antenna Array 

First time I've seen someone do something like that...

Thanks I appreciate it

I'm glad you enjoyed it, best of luck with your project!

Thanks Terry, glad someone else appreciates the googly eyes!

Thanks for your feedback! I wasn't sure how much detail to go into with the K3NG controller but sure I'm open to making a video focused on it. One tip is to google VK4GHZ as his website has updated Nextion files and more information on the configuration.

Glad the videos have been helpful! I need to finish editing the final installment in the series. I do find the external LNAs make a pretty significant difference, especially with these little antennas. If you use larger antennas with higher gain (which I'll recommend) and low-loss feedlines the LNAs are less critical. Put simply, you'll make contacts without them. However the LNAs are indeed a noticeable upgrade, even with short feedlines. I'm fortunate to have these expensive ones from SSB-Electronic, but Mini-Kits offers similar LNA kits at a more reasonable price if you're comfortable soldering / building. That's probably what I'd get if I was starting from scratch. Hope that helps!

Some of the passes can get pretty intense, especially on FM birds. Yes the K3NG connects to SatPC32 using the GS-232B protocol. The position feedback and output control works very well in SatPC32 or PstRotator once configured. The hardest part with the K3NG project is enabling which features you need in the code and then getting the feedback calibrated. It isn't very intuitive, but I haven't had to do any real code modifications at least.

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.

It has seperate ports for each band. Each antenna is fully independent with its own feedlines, preamps and polarization switches. The 9700 actually has a third antenna port for the 23cm band I'm not using presently. It's a great radio but pretty specialized.

I'd have to measure to be sure but it's around 4-5ft long. There is probably an ideal or minimum seperation distance you can calculate, and I'm guessing mine is technically too short. For my application I was more concerned with keeping the setup compact for easier transport and setup with minimal disassembly.

Sure I can post stl files for the boxes if you'd like. The K3NG code is pretty much straight from his GitHub repository with only my features enabled. The Nextion display files were downloaded from VK4GHZ's website with no modifications. The more confusing part for me is the settings and calibration which you input through the Serial Monitor after downloading to the Arduino.

Go back to the previous video, it's all explained there.

I'm using a set of polarization switches from a company called Mini-Kits. They seem to be working well. I explain more in my previous video.

@@va3ase thank you Alex , my callsign is EA1IFD, usually I work AO-91 & ISS, but it's time to pass to linear sats RS-44...and your sat combo looks & works great. Minikits it's a great hardware from Australia😀😀

@@ricardoaliasdelatorre6836 Thank you, I hope to work you on a linear satellite soon! I agree that Mini-Kits makes excellent hardware. I'm very happy to support companies like them.

Thanks! That would be a fun idea, but the Yaesu rotator is the most expensive part which I think is a deal breaker for most people new to satellite. If I was going to sell anything I think it would be better to design lower cost rotators (probably 3d printed).

@@va3ase Makes sense. Well do what you find fun and interesting 😊

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.