Homebrew Amsat Antenna

[CalebATC]

Evenin,


I am looking to build a 2m/440 antenna for working satellites. I have the ARRL antenna making handbook, and have been reading it. So, my question is, what is the best home brew satellite antenna?

I was thinking about making a helix antenna, or a crossed linear antenna. What would be the best? I relize that I may have to make two antennas, one for 2m and one for 440.

Thanks

 

[Kennrth]

Oh boy your pretty ambitious. Helix requires more skill but has less fade. The mount will cost much more than the antenna. Many Amsats are low in orbit and move pretty quickly across the sky. You need to have a two axis precision computer controlled motorized mount and tracking software to move the antenna as the Amsat crosses the sky.
You also need a radio that is Amsat capable. Because the Amsat moves across the sky its frequency shifts do to the Doppler effect. Amsat radios are multimode and have auto Doppler shift capable.
The easiest thing to attain is satellite tracking software which can be found on the internet for free. You just enter the most recent Keplerian elements for the satellite you want to track.

Check this out
AMSAT - Cheap and Easy Yagi Antennas
A great way to get started.

 

[KD8OVN]

I was flipping through an issue of Make magazine today at Barnes and Noble and noticed they have an article on the amsats on page 48. It is a little steep at $15 for the magazine but it seems like a good read with other interesting projects inside.

The article references the following URL: Kent Electronics, WA5VJB

 

[CalebATC]

Ok, well, I don't think I'll be doing that then- I didn't think they were that directional. Thanks for the feedback!

The yagi's look pretty good. I think I will go pick up some parts tomorrow and give it a try. But instead of using a yardstick, would it mess anything up to use PVC and/or metal pipe instead of a yard stick?

Caleb