2. Amateur Space Communications Albert - N4ZFG

3. Space Communications Look at Project OSCAR History Operating Modes
Prediction Software
How do I get started
Who Else Uses Amateur Satellites
Future Satellites

4. Russian Sputnik Oct 1957- Sputnik Beacons on 20.003 Mhz and 40.010 Mhz
Near WWV signals
Beeping signals only

5. Moon Bounce (EME) First Attempt by Amateurs in Space Communications
W4AO, Ross Bateman; and W3GKP, William L. Smith transmitted signals at the moon and heard the return echoes of their own signal.
Proved Space Communications (1953)

6. Balloon Flights
1959- W6TNS Don Stoner proposed to build a spacecraft with a transponder on board in Feb 1961 QST Article
Used High Altitude Balloon With 6m input and 2m Output Repeater Payload Onboard

7. PROJECT OSCAR
In 1960 a group of radio amateurs in Sunnyvale California read Stoner’s article and created a group called Project OSCAR.
The OSCAR stood for Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio.
Convince the U.S. Government that amateur satellites provide useful functions in the areas of scientific exploration, disaster communications, and science education.

8. OSCAR 1 The First Satellite Built by the Project OSCAR Group.
It Transmitted a 140mW Beacon Signal on 2 Meters at 145 MHz.
The Sent the Signal “…. ..” “HI” in Morse Code .
Signal Speed Corresponded Inside Temperature.
The Project OSCAR Group Worked with the U.S. Air Force to add the Amateur Satellite as an Auxiliary Payload. (Ballast)
The U.S. Air Force Launched OSCAR I as a First Ever Auxiliary Package that was Ejected From the Parent Spacecraft.
Ejection Mechanism Subjected to Stress, Thermal, and Vibration Testing and Analysis and was Centered around a $1.15 Spring from Sears and Roebuck.
The Air Force Recommended that They (the Commercial Community) Study the OSCAR 1 Satellite.

9. OSCAR 1 RESULTS
Reported Contacts in 28 countries, over 570 Amateurs Copied the Signal
Remained in Orbit for 22 Days
Data Gathered, was used to Study Ionosphere Propagation and Process Orbital Data
The Project Demonstrated the Abilities to Design, Build, Coordinate with Government Agencies
OSCAR I builders were often asked how much did it cost. Out of pocket expensed for all the materials to build the satellite at about $26.

10. OSCAR 1 MODEL

11. OSCAR II
Same Basic Design with the Exception of Different Thermal Coating.
Reduced Internal Temperatures
Extending Battery Life
The Output Power Reduced from mW to 100mW Reducing Power Drain
The Life of this Satellite - 18 days, 295 Orbits Before the Telemetry Beacon was Lost.

12. OSCAR III OSCAR III Carried Two Beacon Transmitters
One to Provide Telemetry
A Second with a Continuous Carrier for Propagation Studies and Tracking.
Also Carried a 50 khz wide transponder
Received on 146 mhz
Amplified and Retransmitted the signal at about 144 mhz.
This Was the First Satellite Allowing Amateurs to Communicate Via a Space Vehicle.
Launched in March 1965 in a Higher Orbit than Previous Two
Transponder Operated for 18 Days and Approximately 1000 Amateurs in 22 Countries were Heard.

13. Current Popular Satellites
AO – 7
AO – 27
SO - 50
AO - 51
VU - 52
ISS (ARISS Program)
PCSAT (US Naval Academy)

14. Transponder Operating Modes And Prediction Software
This installment we will look at the different modes of operation and some of the software packages to allow tracking or better stated, prediction of satellites at your station.

15. Transponder Operating Modes
Analog Voice and CW
SSB CW and Voice (Multiple Channel)
FM Voice only (Single Channel)
Digital Modes
Packet (Store and Forward)
1200 baud FSK
9600 baud PSK
APRS
Transponders (satellites) operate in various modes, voice and digital

16. Analog SSB Mode Single Side Band (FO-29 Inverting)
2m Uplink: – MHz SSB/CW
70cm Downlink: MHz SSB/CW
NOTE:
Normal – UP/DOWN link Frequencies Track Together
Inverting – UP/DOWN link Frequencies Don’t Track Together
Single sideband is similar to what you use in HF communications

17. Analog Modes Satellites AO 7 (SSB) Mode B 70cm Up 2m Down
FO 29 (SSB) Mode J 2m Up 70cm Down
VU 52 (SSB) Mode V 2m Up Mode U 70cm Down
SO 50 (FM) Modes VU
AO 51 (FM) Modes VU, LU …
AR(ISS) (FM) MHz up MHz Down
AO 16 UP 2M (FM) Up 70CM (DSB) Down

18. New Mode Designations Example: Mode V/U VHF Uplink UHF Downlink
Band V
145 MHz U
435 MHz L
1.2 GHz S
2.4 GHZ
Example:
Mode V/U VHF Uplink UHF Downlink
Mode L/U 1.2 GHZ Uplink UHF Downlink

19. Prediction Software Used to Predict Satellite Passes
For Your Station’s Location
-AOS Acquisition of Signal
-LOS Loss of Signal
Azimuth (From North)
Elevation (Above Local Horizion)
Doppler Shift (Frequency Tuning)

20. Doppler Shift

21. Manual Tracking (Pre PC’s)

22. SatScape

23. Ham Radio Deluxe

24. On-Line Predictions

25. Station Settings

26. Keplerian Elements Describe the Shape of the Satellite’s Orbit
Sample of 2 Line NORAD Format
ISS
U 98067A
AO-51
U 04025K

27. Orbit Shape

28. Low Earth Orbit

29. Molniya Orbit (Elliptical)

30. Pass Predictions

31. Local Horizon View

32. Getting Started Case 1 – Limited Equipment / Funds
Case 2 – Automated Station

33. How Do I Get Started Dual Band HT 2m / 70cm Duplex Mode
Arrow Type Antenna
Tune Radio
Know When the Satellite will Appear
Aim the Antenna
Listen for Signal
Call
Have a Helper Log the Contact!

34. Dual Band HT
2Meter FM
70CM FM
Full Duplex Mode
Speaker Mike Helpful

35. Arrow Antenna

36. Arrow Antenna & HT

37. Homebrew Your Own

38. Automated Satellite Station

39. System Tasks When Satellite is in Range
Antenna Control
Compute Satellite Position
Send Azimuth Elevation to controller
Steer the Antenna Array During the Pass
Radio Control
Compute Frequency
Uplink Doppler Shift
Downlink Doppler Shift
Send Data To Radio

40. Automated Station Block Diagram

41. SAEBER Track Antenna Controller

42. Stamp II Micro-Processor
Reads Voltage to Determine Position AZ EL
Calculates New Position for Array
Turn on/off Proper Relay to Move Array
Loop and Do It Again Until Pass is Complete
Sample of Program in Stamp II Processor

43. Stamp II Code Sample

44. Field Day Satellite Array

45. Contacts Other Hams Within Same Satellite Foot Print
ISS Crew Members (ARISS Project)
Digital Store Forwarding Messaging (Packet)
APRS Via Satellite (Automated Position Reporting System)

46. Bill McArthur (KC5ACR) Operating NA1SS Commander ISS Expedition 12

47. Sunita Williams (KD5PLB) ISS School Contact

48. Mike Finche (KE5AIT)

49. Future Satellites “EAGLE” (Built by AMSAT) P3E (Built by AMSAT DL)
High Earth Orbiting (Elliptical Orbit)
Software Defined Transponder (Software Defined Radio)
Linear Transponders, Digital
P3E (Built by AMSAT DL)
High Earth Orbit
Test Bench for P5A Mars Mission
Linear Transponders (Many Bands)
Intelsat Geo-Stationary Available full time
Full Time Access
Emergency / Disaster Communications
SuitSat II

50. WEB Links www.satscape.co.uk www.heavens-above.com www.amsat.org

51. SUMMARY Look at Project OSCAR History Operating Modes
Prediction Software
Getting Started
Other User of Amateur Satellites
Future Projects

52. Questions?