Satellites

Communication via amateur radio satellites is one of my favorite ham activity. I own and use an Arrow II hand-held dual band beam antenna with my Icom W32A H-T to access the FM satellites AO-27, UO-14 and SO-35.

My first satellite contact was FG5FI (Guadeloupe) on UO-14.

I currently use the Nova program for satellite tracking, but have used others including WinOrbit and STSPLUS.

Excellent amateur satellite information can be found at AMSAT.org.

My Icom W32 H-T is capable of receiving both VHF and UHF bands simultaneously. I use headphones and listen to the satellite's down link as I transmit. With the crowded nature of these birds, it helps to be able to hear yourself transmit. This way, you can be sure that the hand held antenna is pointed to the correct part of the sky.

The FM satellites operate in split mode, i.e. transmit and receive operations take place in different bands. For these satellites the bands are 2 meters and 70 centimeters. See below for each satellite's uplink and downlink frequencies. These shifts are known as operating 'modes'.

All these satellite communications are affected by Doppler shift. In short, the transmit and receive frequencies increase a small amount as the satellite gets close, then decrease as the satellite moves away from a ground station. Transmit and receive frequencies will shift from 5 to 15 kHz. For example, start listening for UO-14 on 435.060 or 435.065 mHz. As the satellite approaches, tune upward in frequency to 435.070, then 435.075 and 435.080.

AO-27 (Eyesat-1)

FAQ

Summary

Mode J

	Uplink: 145.850 MHz
	Downlink: 436.795 MHz

UO-14

Mode J

	Uplink: 145.975 MHz
	Downlink: 435.070 MHz

SO-35 (Sunsat)

News Flash: SO-35 is currently dead in space. Contact was lost January 19, 2001 and is not expected to be re-established. For more information see the Sunsat home page.

Note: SO-35 normally operates in mode B. Currently the satellite is configured for mode J. There is also a 'parrot mode' where the satellite listens and records on the 2 meter uplink for 15 seconds, then retransmits everything uploaded on the same frequency for the next 15 seconds. Check the Sunsat home page for the latest schedule.

Sunsat's Home Page

Mode J

	Uplink: 145.950 MHz
	Downlink: 436.250 MHz

Mode B

	Uplink: 436.291 MHz
	Downlink: 145.825 MHz

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