My Ham Radio Hobby, and Fun With Satellites

With the help of my son, Neil, acting as videographer and editor, I recently operated outdoors for a pass of the SO-50 amateur radio satellite. In this video I explain the anatomy of the pass, and discuss my interest in amateur radio generally.

[@sparky5860]

Best video I’ve seen on ham satellites........ Thank you for sharing.....

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Terrific video. Excellent video and sound quality. I enjoyed learning a little about SO-50 bounce contacts and seeing that it is not as complicated as other videos portray.

[@valentin.32]

This guy is a pro!!!! I sure would like to learn from him

[@SatnamSingh-qj7kw]

Wow! Thanks Sir fir such an interesting video. Satellite ham radio communication is now quite easy to do stuff rather then in older days due to new fm satellites . Salute to your video editing 😎😍. 73s from INDIA Swl. Satnam Singh

[@chicagofilms3356]

Love seeing ur excellence on post2post and with this... keep up the great work!

[@MicheIIePucca]

This is so cool. Great video... I'm intrigued for sure!

[@ErikAtTheW]

Probably one of the best non-technical sat comm explanations I Have seen to date. I am new to the amateur radio world and this was very helpful!

[@jennifer86010]

Fun video !! I used to work Oscars and other Ham satellites in the '90s. Using two SSB radios (2meter uplink 70cm downlink) While on the air, I had to simultaneously be tuning the VFO's on each radio while also adjusting the azimuth and elevation rotors of my antenna array so it could follow the satellite's trajectory path from horizon to horizon. I used a boom mic and a foot switch. The only thing not moving was the little toe on my left foot. To make matters even more ridiculous, I had to take down and hide the entire antenna arrays, circular loops and stackable masts before dawn when early rising neighbors might spot my Home Owners Association multiple antenna violations. Today I work strictly HF, using antennas hidden in trees, feedlines buried underground and equipment hidden in closed cabinets. After numerous RF interference complaints over the years, court cases, wars with neighbors and Homeowners Assassins, I NEVER EVER tell ANYONE in the neighborhood that I am a Ham. If anyone mentions the word "Ham", I respond by saying "I love it on rye bread."

[@UndrwearBomber]

Those were the days! My favorite back then was RS-10/11 operating Mode A which was the 2 meter uplink, 10 meter downlink. I don't know why, because it was just another LEO, but it was so much fun.

[@AccountInactive]

You could always move 🤷 it couldn't be me.

[@JonathanAdami]

Nice introduction to the hobby, thanks for the vid!

[@-Mike]

Outstanding. Thank you for the simplified explanation.

[@tonyfrantz9942]

Everytime I watch I’m more amazed!

[@viccruikshank2441]

Wow, fantastic presentation. I don’t think I have seen or heard a more clear and concise explanation on working satellites. Subscribed.

[@BrentTaylor]

Thanks Vic! I hope to post more and better content in the future :-)

[@DJBlackhawk]

Great cinematography, depth of field, perfect audio, amazing production and best of all your into AMSAT! Awesome! 73 DE KK4MND David from Clearwater, FL

[@BrentTaylor]

David Mercado Many thanks!

[@Quancept]

fantastic. recently I am learning a lot on radio waves and satellites.

[@JeffKing310]

Very interesting video. And beautiful part of the world btw.

[@Aerospaceman]

Very nice video presentation. My family came over to Nova Scotia, over to Prince Edward Island, down to Maine and the rest of America. KJ7HWV, Bill, Spokane Valley WA.

[@JoshWardBUJW]

great video. sharing with a few folks. inspired to get out and try. 73 W3ARD in central Texas

[@BrentTaylor]

Josh Ward Thanks Josh! 73

[@BobWestWA8YCD]

Nicely done. Good to show groups to explain what we do. 73 WA8YCD

[@dustinschwering1492]

Terrific video. Well done sir!

[@watchmanmichael2023]

Awesome!!! Done a few Sats also, great video.

[@kenkerr9868]

Well made and very well articulated. Hope to work you on one of the birds soon. 73

[@BrentTaylor]

Ken Kerr Thanks, Ken! 73

[@krystynahaywood1968]

Fantastic video Brent, it was great for me to present to my Foundation students at Sheffield and District Wireless Society... Thank you... de 2E0KSH

[@BrentTaylor]

Krystyna Haywood you're very kind! Thanks and 73!

[@lb5sh]

Cool! I'm a new amateur, never tried bouncing off satellites before. Maybe I'll try tuning one day and just listen to see if there's anyone on. 73 from LB5SH

[@Eric-ec8we]

very interesting, Brent!

[@malcolmbrown796]

Interesting video. Great to see a Miramichier on KZbin!!

[@lalithpanawela7884]

Congratulations !

[@BOLIPILOT1]

Great video with clear explanation. Thanks for taking the time to film and upload. Would be good to try sometime. From nth London, UK (IO91) - 73 de M0SAT

[@BrentTaylor]

BOLIPILOT1 Thanks for the kind words! With AO-91 up there now, a UK-PEI contact should be quite easy. 73!

[@K3RRR]

Genuinely great job, Brent! Excellent job of explaining our passion to both non-hams and non-AMSAT hams! Just subscribed to your channel. 73 de Robert K3RRR

[@BrentTaylor]

K3RRR Thanks Robert! I've not done anything recently, but there are some upcoming activations and Dayton! 73 de VY2HF

[@K3RRR]

I've already got my reservations for Hamvention....hope to see you there!

[@TheGraeme61]

Hello Brent,that was a very good video and interesting too.I also have been interested in satellite communications working through UO-14 ,ISS to name just a few. Keep up the excellent work . Graeme mm5iss

[@BrentTaylor]

Thanks Graeme!

[@5holeproductions690]

very interesting video!

[@alexlofrano5675]

Brent I didn't know you had you're own channel. I love you on post2post!

[@BrentTaylor]

Woshwook 49 Why....thanks!!

[@JeffKing310]

Same here!

[@billnq0w]

Excellent video! Well produced. Thanks. 73. Bill K0BL.

[@BrentTaylor]

Bill Bishop Thanks Bill! 73

[@AndrewMurphy8383]

thanks for the follow i am going be doing more vids soon

[@Freekickerz360]

Really cool!

[@UnkleJustin]

Fun to watch Brent!! I haven't done much with birds except the shuttle, ISS, and MIR but am getting the bug courtesy of KZbin and Tucker down South on Twitter. Look for me this summer. 73 de KB2RMC Tim in FN12dr.

[@EnavSounds]

Lovely video

[@sydandrachel8689]

Wow that was really cool how that works.

[@SpaceComms]

Excellent video. Very well planned/thought out and produced. Good job to you and your son. I wonder what else he films/edits/produces? I make a lot of videos but mine are usually not planned and thought out well. Part of that is because I am filming/editing/operating all by myself. But I have just gotten a new Lumix GH5 camera and hope to up my production quality in the future. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@BrentTaylor]

Space Comms Hi John. Neil has a hockey-related video channel here on YT called "Post2Post" that has accumulated over 13K subs. He has done lots of other freelance work; both video and stills, as well as graphic design. Mine wasn't very planned either, but his presence, multiple angles, and editing skills made it look a lot better than the original, lol

[@SpaceComms]

I will have to check it out. I hope to get that many subs one day! I love video and I'm glad to see others are using it to great effect in promoting the hobby and specifically satellites. This is a really well rounded "primer" on SO-50 and sats in general. I did notice during the actual pass you had at least maybe three cameras at one point. Wide front, wide side, and a handheld or something similar aiming in close on what you were doing.

[@BrentTaylor]

Yes, there were three cameras in total. A Canon 6D on a tripod, a G7X more mobile, and a Samsung Android phone camera. Plus a lot of skill on the production end with Adobe Premiere, haha

[@SpaceComms]

Brent Taylor Oh yeah I use camera phones often.

[@terryosborne2444]

Excellent video. Try the colored map in Orbitron. 73, Terry ZL2BAC

[@SpankyMcTrolly]

Great video! Thanks for making! 73, KD9DBI

[@VA3CrazyRedWolf]

Just getting into AMSAT now. Sourced all the equipment for an arrow Yagi build and looking forward to it. Great video! Got me excited. Wondering what the satellite tracking program was? 73 de VA3CRW

[@BrentTaylor]

Hi Jon! The program was "Orbitron" which is quite old but is free and works very well. A simple search should get you started. Welcome to satellites!

[@2j4ez]

Nice video I just getting into satellites been hearing a few did you use a diplexer with the 2 radios?? Regards 2e0iqj

[@BobWestWA8YCD]

BTW good audio. Too many youtubers use the camera Mike from that distance and it's inaudible. Well done!

[@BrentTaylor]

Bob West Thanks Bob. I was lucky to have my son and his equipment on board, so we had multiple audio and video sources, and good post-production too. Glad you liked it! 73 de W1PJ/VY2HF

[@STxFisherman]

I will be getting into satellite communications soon (antenna on order) and was wondering what you use to find receive and transmit frequencies on various satellites.

[@BrentTaylor]

Best site is www.amsat.org and then follow the links to active satellites

[@JoeDauen]

This is something I'm looking forward to trying this summer! Great video.. 73 to you and yours! ke0mje

[@MartayPartay101]

If you want to try sooner, I'm an active sat op right across the river. 73 de Marty N9EAT

[@JoeDauen]

MartayPartay101 Yeah that would be great, appreciate the offer! Thanks 73 ke0mje

[@tonyfrantz9942]

This is fascinating, I’m interested in radio but I’m such a novice. All this is Greek to me 😊

[@BrentTaylor]

It's easier than ever to get in to....hope you give it a try, Tony!

[@ve3eby]

Great video. Professionally done by Neil. What make / model recorder are you using? 73, Paul, VE3EBY.

[@BrentTaylor]

Paul Stuart Hi Paul! Most of the video is on a Canon 6D. Audio was a cheap $3.99 lapel mic, into an MP3 recorder Line-In port.

[@dmparkerjr]

Mr. Taylor, thank you for this video! I am a new ham and my wife did not understand my obsession with "dated technology". That was until she watched your video. I hope that we can QSO sometime via satellite. 73's Dave KN4QOT

[@BrentTaylor]

Excellent, Dave! Glad you found it worthwhile. Hope to hear you on the air :-) 73!

[@ilanb7295]

My dad loves Ham Radio!! What is your call sign?

[@MrVasile]

Great video! I aspire to try working satellites, but have been intimidated by the complication of adjusting frequencies for Doppler effect. I didn't notice you changing frequencies in this video. Was that part edited out, was it due to an overhead pass, or is it just not required?

[@BrentTaylor]

Hi Tony! Thanks for your kind words. I do adjust for Doppler on SO-50, because the receive frequency changes during the pass. What I do is channelize the receive frequencies and just step through the channels as the pass progresses. For the new AO-91/92 birds, it's the transmit frequency that you have to change a bit, because you're uplinking on 70cm where Doppler is more pronounced than on 2M. There is an AFC that tries to find your uplink, but it's not great at it, especially when the bird is congested. I encourage you to give the birds a try!

[@josevictorec]

Excellent video very well narated, I am in progress of getting my license and would love to be able to achieve such contacts, what antenna were you using. Happy New Year 2021 and hope to hear from you.

[@BrentTaylor]

Thanks for your kind comments! The antenna I was using is made by the Arrow company, and their Web site is here: arrowantennas.com/

[@josevictorec]

@@BrentTaylor Thanks for the reply so quickly. Your video is so consistent not too much talk/talk. Hope to contact you on radio one day. Best wishes from Quito 🇪🇨.

[@nowattube]

Great video tutorial ! 73 from Kostas/SV2SW

[@BrentTaylor]

73 Kostas, and thank you!

[@NinjaMonkeyPrime]

Quick question - does the map you show around 7:15 a clear indication of what you can and cannot reach or do conditions sometimes allow you to communicate further?

[@BrentTaylor]

Thanks for the question. Yes, for satellite use that map is specific to the single satellite we are using at that given time. Each satellite would have its own coverage map, and they would change constantly as the satellite moves through its orbit. For non-satellite communications, we can usually reach every part of the Globe in the right conditions.

[@nikosntzanis8771]

Thanks for video .So to understand this antenna is the arrow II without a duplexer ,and having two connectors one for the 2m and one for the 70cm .You connect the one for tx at the 2m and have connected the other handheld at the 70cm for reception ,correct??

[@BrentTaylor]

That is exactly right. Duplex with two radios :-)

[@nikosntzanis8771]

@@BrentTaylor You buy the arrow more cheaper without the duplexer and the difference in price from two antennas (with duplexer and without) take it and buy a new cheap chinese radio for RX or any other used radio .Thanks Brent.73 de SV1RXI

[@chrishillier647]

This is an awesome video. I am heading to Jamaica this week for my 6y5idx operation in Negril. I have never done any satellite work before, but was contacted by another ham who asked me to do some satellite work there if he sent me an antenna. Of course I obliged, the antenna arrives tomorrow and I have no idea what I am doing.... he sent me this video which explains so much, but I still need so much more before I can pull this off,, any advice is appreciated,,,, 73 de vo1idx (I'm good on qrz)

[@BrentTaylor]

Chris Hillier thanks! Hard to give you all you need in a quick shot, but I can send you a PowerPoint I use for presentations if that's any help.

[@briantheminer]

Brilliant, only just found this What power would your HT be putting up Brent?

[@BrentTaylor]

Hi Brian. Total output power that day was only 5 watts!

[@briantheminer]

@@BrentTaylor thank you Brent, I thought it would be from the type of radio but nice to have it confirmed Great achievement 👍

[@ct026]

Awesome.

[@TotemPoleOfCare]

I think I might be missing something... If you have headphones on the receive radio, how is the recorder picking up the receive audio?

[@BrentTaylor]

It's actually not picking up the receive audio, good catch. I use my own responses and announced callsigns to keep track of my log. Also, we had an additional recorder that is not visible in the video :-)

[@ronangsr]

A dual band radio like yaesu ft3d will do same thing as you using two radios ?

[@BrentTaylor]

It will function, but unless you are able to monitor your downlink you will only be guessing at your success getting into the satellite. An FT-847 works as a single radio, but the easier thing is to have two radios going if you don't have a full duplex rig.

[@WH6FQE]

I just received my new ELK Dual and antenna today that I want to start using to try "bird hunting" but I am a little confused on one issue, logging. When you log the contact, do you log it on the transmitted frequency or the receive frequency? I have never logged a contact using two different frequencies before and I want to make sure I do it correctly. I'm not sure if I will even get any contacts though since I am in Hawaii. I am not sure how wide of a footprint the birds will have when I try to connect with them.

[@BrentTaylor]

WH6FQE - The Kilted Piper Hawaii! You'll be very popular I'm sure. Some of the passes will get you to the west coast. As for logging, I log both transmit and receive, although I think the logging software usually wants to log the transmit frequency, and will accept the receive frequency as a secondary fact.

[@WH6FQE]

Ah, ok. That makes sense. I had already looked up 3 of the ham sats that were going to pass over me yesterday, two to my West to attempt Asia with and one to my East to attempt the West Coast. I traced their paths out and got their split frequencies ready on my radios, got my camera set up to record the audio so I didn't have to take notes on callsigns. I assembled my ELK antenna and was about to head outside to give it a try when I realized I had forgotten one very important piece of equipment, COAX. I realized that the shortest piece of coax I have available is 100 feet long, lol. I completely forgot to get a shorter coax ready to go. Oh well, Murphy got me this time, but I will be ready next time.

[@maartenc6099]

I see that you change polarization of your antenne. I wonder why not use a cross-yagi and work circular polarization.

[@BrentTaylor]

I find it far easier to quickly adjust polarization manually. And, I'm not sure there is a manufacturer making circularly polarized hand-operated antennas. If you know of one let me know :-)

[@fredbissnette3104]

for the iss I'm assuming for the repeater you only need the pl tone for tx on 2m and not the 70cm rx freq thanks - ve1qfa

[@BrentTaylor]

That is correct, Fred. The 67 Hz tone is only needed on uplink. For downlink, using no tone (TSQ) allows you to hear everything on the downlink frequency.

[@fredbissnette3104]

@@BrentTaylor thank you!!!

[@robertchambers5821]

Hello Brent: I love the hobby and your video! Thank you. I'm just getting started in Sat. communications and this excites me. I just looked up the Am-Sat web site and the tracking software didn't load. Do I need some other software to get it working? 8P6RC

[@BrentTaylor]

Robert Chambers Hi Robert. Thanks for the kind comments! The AMSAT online tracker should work fine as long as you put in your coordinates and pick a satellite!

[@realfoggy]

We're you part of the light house on the air activation, if so, I talked to you. The call was VY2XU. Thanks for the QSO if that you. 73

[@BrentTaylor]

I didn't do the Lighthouse event this year, but pleased to see you contacted Alan! 73

[@dave_n8pu]

I just watched another video where another ham was doing what you are doing in this video but he was using a camera tripod to hold his antenna, so that gave him a free hand to 'take notes' if he chose to, just an idea.

[@BrentTaylor]

I have tried the tripod idea, but found that I needed more agility for pointing and polarity...but it would work well for a slower moving satellite , 73

[@kgv52]

How did you connect the two radios to the antennas?

[@BrentTaylor]

Kevin VanVranken I used short runs of RG-8 mini cable, with BNC connectors.

[@kgv52]

Thank you but I did not explain myself. My question should have been you have a 2m and a 70cm antenna on the metal mast. Are they isolated from one another or doesn't it matter?

[@BrentTaylor]

Kevin VanVranken They are isolated, mostly, by the fact they are 90 degrees apart, so the polarity difference effectively negates most of the RF from getting into one antenna from the other. The antenna comes with a diplexer that provides additional isolation, but I have found I do not need that. There is very little desense on receive when running full duplex with this antenna. 73!

[@kgv52]

Thank you I thank I got it now.

[@ebazz1]

Hello, great video, very informative. Would a duplexer help? Thank you. Ernie KC1LKB 73's.

[@BrentTaylor]

Hi Ernie. I duplexer would not be needed in this setup as each antenna is being fed separately from different radios. If there was some crossband interference then I suppose it might be helpful to use one (or two) as bandpass filters. Not needed in my case. Thanks.

[@landosaddog25]

🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐

[@escjacob541]

Post2Daddy

[@gregorysmith3097]

Which radios and antenna are you using?

[@BrentTaylor]

For that demo I think I was using a Yaesu VX8-GR and a VX-3 for receive. When portable i now use a Kenwood TH-D74 for receive, and a Yaesu FT-817 for transmit.

[@yxhankun]

Is the central boom made by plastic or wood?

[@BrentTaylor]

It's actually made of aluminium.

[@Stevenfclark]

What tracking software are you using 73 de N1AD

[@BrentTaylor]

Good old fashioned "Orbitron" at home, and "ISS Detector" on my Android phone when I'm portable. Orbitron is very basic, but has performed well for me for years.

[@adamjhuber]

Just get a true dual band HT, like a Yaesu FT-530. Receive and transmit through one radio simultaneously.

[@ahmedkadhim7513]

good job sir de yi1aks from Mesopotamia Iraq land of the sun

[@DdraigX]

What satellite software are you using?

[@BrentTaylor]

DdraigX I use "Orbitron," which is quite old but I'm comfortable with it

[@TheHamshack]

great video really interesting many thanks.. james G0SEC

[@pedersteenberg2010]

wich frequence?

[@BrentTaylor]

www.amsat.org/fm-satellite-frequency-summary/

[@aarongriffin81]

I have been wanting to get a Ham license but am wondering if a 'Technician Class' license would be sufficient to do what you did in the video? The Next level license is 'General Class'. Thanks

[@BrentTaylor]

Yes indeed, a Tech license will be just fine. Hope to hear you on the air!

[@musk3597]

windows 10 home confirmed

[@applejacks971]

Everyone talks to flippin fast, I cant understand what they're sayin, I gave up on it.

[@parkzoneradian]

As a native English speaker, I find the authors speech far too rapid to follow comfortably. I'd describe it as 'gabbling', which is not the best way for humans to communicate. However I do like his methodology.

[@markusorielly904]

Rapid? Look at the majority of creators on KZbin and their inability to articulate themselves properly and effectively, and then you have this man who is clearly incredibly well spoken and intelligent and you're going to criticize him for speaking too rapid and then call it 'gabbling' and saying it's not an effective way to communicate? Get off your high horse mate. This was extremely easy to watch and understand, so if you're finding it too hard to follow then maybe the problem lies with the viewer, not the 'author' as you call it. The literal definition of an author is "A writer..." so you calling someone who is SPEAKING an author, is a testament to your intelligence. Boomer.