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new setup ideas

photo2000a – July 2, 2009 – 14:50

hi

I have been using a simple setup, just a 2m and 440 egg beater. Worked pretty good. But i am new ready to upgrade.

Will be my first time using 'real' beams and rotators.

Was thinking about a 2m and 440 antenna circular Pol from M2.

Thought about the Yaesu rotator but i need something that will be super reliable.

Already have the LMR600 and AdvancedRR preamps.

Was hoping that someone might share some ideas on antennas or rotators both from a brand point of view as well as any mounting tips/tricks.

Not looking to bash 1 brand vs next but looking for objective technical pro's and con's heads up etc etc that a newbie like myself might not think of...

any thoughts welcome

Thanks
N2EHG
myles a t DTI dot NET

Misc
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Setup Ideas

WD8DUP – July 19, 2009 – 12:03

Actually, Miles, there are several good rotators/antennas on the market that would do the job. I've seen hams use two regular TV antenna rotators to track satellites, horizontally and vertically; just a bear to get synchronized at first. It just depends on several factors, your location and view to the horizon, whether you want to hear the satellite from horizon to horizon or just, say, 10 to 20 degrees, how much you're willing to spend, tower or roof mounting, etc.

Having said that, I remember reading an article several months ago in QST concerning tests done with stationary antennas, vertically polarized, and yagis, and readings taken over several satellite passes. I was surprised how much satellite coverage one can get with a good vertically polarized antenna, a preamp, and some patience. Your 2/440 eggbeater probably does really well. However, my own personal preference is turnstile antennas for 10, 2, and 440 (easy to build). Rotatable yagis are great and really get the job done but I like to try to follow several satellites at once.

Having, myself, little experience in rotators, and not wanting to steer you wrong, I would suggest you check out the manufacturer's reviews on the ARRL web site, or check out eham.net for good reviews.

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no reply?

photo2000a – July 17, 2009 – 22:59

Myles N2EHG

disappointing not to see even a single reply after this time

hope some might offer some suggestions

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Re: new setup

pd0rkc – July 18, 2009 – 09:58

Hello N2EHG,

Maybe you will get replies if you explain what you would
like to receive.
Is it only ISS signals or/and all amateur sats?.

73's Cor PD0RKC
Ham Radio In Space
http://iss.ontwikkel.nl

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tns re new setup suggestions

photo2000a – July 19, 2009 – 19:37

Myles N2EHG

Hi, thanks to all that responded.

My goals would be to be able to receive all the birds and nearly all the modes I can. My plan was to get a rotator , some beam antennas at a high level. I have a good 360 view to horizon so as best as practical and budget allows .. The Eggbeaters taught me a little but I still have a way to go.

From what I have learned so far I am seeing the G5500 as most popular and not bad.

I figured someone that has already went down this road when they first started out might have say some suggestions towards hidden gotchas'

thanks again

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re new setup

manxmat – July 20, 2009 – 17:08

Hi Miles,

I'm at the 'low budget' end of the spectrum, I'm currently using a Sandpiper dual band crossed yagi, it has 3 elements on 2m, 5 on 70cms - this is mounted on a TV type rotator at a fixed elevation around 30 degrees.

It was originally fed with a good quality coax, going into a duplexer, so I could feed both antennas with a single coax - this worked quite well manually tracking the (FM only) birds, using a Yeasu FT-8900 radio (using memories in the radio for the doppler).

The radio in the shack now is a Kenwood TS-2000, I'm still using the same antenna setup, but have two runs of LMR400 to feed the antenna - this seems to work quite well on a number of satellites (ISS, as well as the inverting transponders on some of the birds) - I'm using Ham Radio Deluxe to control the radio / doppler shift, but still tracking manually by hand.

I would like to be able to automate the tracking, and include elevation - this is something I will have to build myself as time/limited funds allow.

- As well as having a matching pair of 2m / 70cms antennas with a polarity switch hi hi!!!

I have seen very positive reviews of the Alfa Spid rotators - these aren't the cheapest in the world but look very good to me :-
http://alfaradio.ca/alfaspid.html

Let us know how you get on with your setup!!!

Matty

MD0MAN

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