[OZAPRS] SatGate around VK7?

Josh vk2hff at vk2hff.ampr.org
Sat Dec 9 10:31:44 AEDT 2017


I use a turnstile antenna as well, no issues with low elevation passes.
I made mine out of 20mm PVC conduit and 2.4mm wire (tig filler rods).
Initially I built a 6el beam for the job and the turnstile was a stop
gap while I made a rotator for the beam, but the turnstile turned out to
be all I needed so I stuck with that.
I was surprised how rubbish it is for terrestrial APRS use, but it picks
up ISS and PSAT every pass, and PCSAT too when its awake.
(well it did until my CHIP SBC's power regulator failed a couple of
weeks ago, I haven't got around to replacing it yet)

- Josh VK2HFF

On 9/12/2017 9:56 AM, Mark Jessop wrote:
> Unless you apply some serious weatherproofing, an arrow antenna is
> probably not a good idea for a long-term outdoor install. Keep the arrow
> antenna for portable ops and either build or buy something else to go on
> the rotator. 
> 
> I've been using a turnstile for my 2m SatNOGS ground station (also a
> SatGate) for a while, and that works just fine for APRS from the ISS. It
> doesn't perform amazingly well below 20 degrees elevation, but it's
> definitely usable. 
> The turnstile I'm using is from
> eBay: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Set-of-2-antennas-turnstile-crossed-dipole-RHCP-2m-and-70cm-N-connector/292347719120?hash=item4411482dd0:g:Ry0AAOSw8gVYBd1P
> 
> My only gripe with it is the spacing of the elements could have been a
> bit larger, for a more hemispherical pattern. As it is, it has a bit of
> an upwards lobe, hence the degraded performance at low elevation angles. 
> 
> I thought you built a turnstile - why not use that for the SatGate, i'm
> sure it would perform just fine. Maybe put a filtered preamp on it to
> eke out a bit more performance.
> 
> 73
> Mark VK5QI
> 
> 
> 
> On Sat, Dec 9, 2017 at 6:03 AM, Andrew Rich <vk4tec at tech-software.net
> <mailto:vk4tec at tech-software.net>> wrote:
> 
>     Josh
> 
>     Try this
> 
>     Telnet rotate.aprs.net <http://rotate.aprs.net> 14580
>     User password
>     #filter p/RS0ISS
> 
>     Than watch
> 
>     I just sold my vertical
> 
>     Arrow will go up on a rotator
> 
>     I have beaten my head against a brick wall trying to get vk4 going
> 
>     Andrew
> 
>     Sent from my iPhone
> 
>     > On 8 Dec 2017, at 9:28 pm, Josh <vk2hff at vk2hff.ampr.org
>     <mailto:vk2hff at vk2hff.ampr.org>> wrote:
>     >
>     > From Sydney I often get picked up by satgates in VK3/4/5 and ZL - the
>     > ISS's footprint is pretty large.
>     > ISS is probably the only bird you'll have much luck with using just a
>     > HT, but you might get into NO-84 on a good pass.
>     >
>     > - Josh VK2HFF
>     >
>     >> On 8/12/2017 10:11 PM, Marcus B wrote:
>     >> I'm about to go on a hike through Tassie (Overland Track) in a few
>     >> weeks, and I've been thinking about taking my VX8 with me and
>     attempting
>     >> a few posits along the way, is there anyone in earshot of the ISS
>     >> SatGating around there? Any other aprs sats worth giving a go?
>     >>
>     >> 73,
>     >> Marcus
>     >>
>     >>
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