WXSat proof of concept

[Analoguesat]

Ive just watched Meteor M-N2 go virtually overhead. A very strong signal on the SDR# waterfall at 137.9 MHz - a wide signal as well:

 

[Analoguesat]

I also noticed some sort of short duration data packets being transmitted on 145.8MHz from the Space Station as it went over about half an hour ago

 

[Terryl]

I'm working on my MK-8 antenna, it's a dual 1/4 wave center fed, that is center combined to make it a 1/2 wave, this will give a 360 degree pattern.

Just have to work out the ground plane radials.

If it works I will put it up for a look see, and supply drawings to make one.

 

[Terryl]

I also noticed some sort of short duration data packets being transmitted on 145.8MHz from the Space Station as it went over about half an hour ago

It's ham band packet or SSTV from the space station, and sometimes voice communications.

I did some stuff with them many years ago, you could (and still can) send APRS signals up to them and get a listing on the APRS page for them.

More info here.

https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/how-to-hear-the-iss/

 

[Analoguesat]

Best image yet (Mk 2b antenna). I'll get an amp on it and I'll be able to get a bit further N & S

 

[Terryl]

Well the MK-8 antenna didnt work out too well, it was highly directional.....Going to the MK-9 design.......I wish I had my lab again....Darn.

 

[Terryl]

OK, the MK-9 antenna worked the best, but now it seems like the receiver is at fault, I guess I don't have the required IF bandwidth needed.

So I ordered one of these hummers......

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HA642SW/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1

....Lets see what happens now.

 

[Terryl]

OK new info.

I found a scanner with a 75 ohm RF input, re-did the MK-9 antenna to use a 300 ohm to 75 ohm bauln, then setup to watch for the next bird.

Here is the result.


Not bad, snow at the bottom and middle top is terrain blockage to the signal, now just have to wait for the new receiver to arrive, also working on a PDF file and build instructions for the antenna so you all can try it out. (if you all want to)

 

[Analoguesat]

The cats whisker antenna has remarkable sensitivity. Ive just watched NOAA19 skimming the north pole with a maximum elevation of 3 degrees! The synch bars are just about visible on the image - nothing to decode sadly as Svalbard / Northern Greenland would have made an impressive image. 137MHz Uputronics amp is on order & I shall try to relocate the antenna today to get a slightly more favourable location for it. I need to get to a B&Q type warehouse to see what thin rods are available - the strong wings here yesterday battered the garden wire elements on the antenna badly! Or I stick it in the wooden garage up in the roof space.

 

[Terryl]

I'd see if some one on site is a welder and can find you some stainless steel welding rods, they work the best as we are using a screw compression mount to hold the radials, I've run out so it's a trip to town for more.

Inside the garage you will loose quite a bit of signal strength, (about 1/2 or more) it's best for outside as high up as you can go.

 

[Analoguesat]

Southern Svalbard to northern Algeria and almost perfect reception. Im delighted with that! I rapidly rebuilt the win7 laptop late last night & so far it hasnt been causing the lock up problems.

 

[Analoguesat]

Views to about 80N! Ive managed to image both Svalbard & Novaya Zemyla on an excellent pass of NOAA 19 and virtually no pager qrm. Thats pushing the northernmost extent - I dont think I can go muc further north - I can see faint signals down as low as 3 degrees elevation but they arent strong enough to decode However I shall keep trying - Im determined to image the north pole now as theoretically its just in my range

I may build a hand held yagi for the far north passes to increase the signal collection

 

[Archive-8]

Finally my wx aerial has arrived

 

[Analoguesat]

I want one - might survive the gales better than the garden wire lashup

 

[Analoguesat]

Getting closer to the north pole - not quite far enough north - and from the image quality I would say we wont be playing with NOAA 15 much longer - there is definitely a fault developed on it the last few days. The signal dropped out at about 1.5 degrees elevation

 

[Archive-8]

I want one - might survive the gales better than the garden wire lashup

This is the I ordered. Base antenna turnstile crossed dipole 137 Mhz RHCP NOAA ORBCOMM METEOR BNC | eBay

Keep an eye on his other items.

 

[Analoguesat]

NOAA 15 has been confirmed to be in trouble........

 

[Terryl]

I want one - might survive the gales better than the garden wire lashup

Thats why I use the stainless steel welding rods.

 

[Archive-8]

First attempt



Aerial is in a temporary location for tonight.
Hopefully tomorrow I can located it higher up.

 

[Analoguesat]

Virtually my entire North to South radio horizon NOAA 18 on an almost overhead pass