This channel is for beginners

[@Mr.Radiopants]

Awesome!!!!! Love it

[@SpaceComms]

Mr. Radio Pants Woohoo Matt VO1WEB!

[@Mr.Radiopants]

Space Comms this is so cool

[@b1aflatoxin]

Any technical hobby lives or dies by the generosity of those who came before us. Well done, John! :)

[@SpaceComms]

Thank you so much! That is very kind of you. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@K5AMJ]

Just signed up on Patreon! Amateur Radio needs more quality content creators like you! Awesome work!

[@SpaceComms]

Thanks so much Andy! Supporters like you really inspire me to make more content. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@opie1032]

John, I read many of your responses below to many people. We all thank you, I am sure. You had a comment that for some "birds" you don't need a Yagi antenna. Sure enough, I tried it and it works. I am at grid FM14 and at 946pm to 953pm local time I used my $22 Baofeng UV5R and its outofthebox rubber duck antenna and got great audio. I recorded it and was able to get the conversational QSL between WA2FHJ in NY and KE0WPA in Iowa, and I am in NC! Thanks again. Many people didn't know you could listen to satellites for $22. I am gaining confidence and with your video help I will try a voice contact soon. (I am a licensed ham, but never used it before because the normal weekly"rag chew" is not of interest to me. Isaac

[@SpaceComms]

Very nice! Yup the Fox birds have strong 2m downlinks. Easy to hear. Btw, I see you mentioned FM14be on amsat-bb in your ISS email. I am from the same exact grid. My parents still live there. On Chalmers Dr. I was there last weekend starting to set up my satellite ground station as I don't have room in Raleigh at my apartment to stage it all and test it on the ground. My Dad is a ham and he is getting into sats too. Maybe we can meet up next time I am down there. What is your callsign?

[@opie1032]

Need to add satellite name to my previous comment about hearing satellites with rubber duck antenna. The satellite was AO-92 last night, Feb 14, 2020.

[@opie1032]

My call sign is W4ITC. I would be pleased to make your acquaintance.

[@opie1032]

I am approaching satellite comms with an eye to what younger folks may be interested in, specifically my grandchildren, ages 9 and 11. My book-learnin' days are way back in the 1960's in Raleigh, so lots of cobwebs... .

[@OH8STN]

Well done! I love your channel and the excitement you drive in other operators 👍👍👍 I still have the equipment but I haven't been on the birds in a long time. You inspire some of us old timers as well. 73 Julian oh8stn

[@SpaceComms]

Thanks for the kind words Julian! I try my best. Maybe you'll get on again one day. There are a lot of nice new FM birds now (AO-91 and AO-92 in particular), and more coming! 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@OH8STN]

Space Comms actually I'm certain I will. I've been looking for a man portable Azimuth and elevation rotator commercially or as a project but haven't had much luck.

[@SpaceComms]

OH8STN Good deal. Have you seen this rotator? portablerotation.com/shop/azel-portable-rotor-system/

[@OH8STN]

Space Comms was thinking about diy project like the Mini Satellite-Antenna Rotator from Julie VK3FOWL and Joe VK3YSP.

[@SpaceComms]

OH8STN Gotcha. I think I saw the plans for that recently. Looks nice.

[@robertmunilla8042]

This is awesome. Love this, thanks for sharing.

[@hollensted]

Really happy to see people's passion about these contacts. I wonder if i live in an unfortunate place regarding iss passes? I am from Denmark, and the iss only seem to make very short passes. And for long periods of time it is not visible.

[@SpaceComms]

Me too :-) Yes, the ISS has a relatively low inclination so it doesn't cover higher/lower latitudes very well. spaceflight.nasa.gov/feedback/expert/answer/mcc/sts-112/09_04_12_54_17.html en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbital_inclination

[@mumi009]

I have begun listening to satellites. I live on a (very) small Greek island, about 160 meters above sea level. I can make good contacts from my olive grove. Mountains kind of get in the way for low flying birds. There are also places on the island that will allow me to make contacts with satellites at their low elevation. I use a very portable log periodic antenna for 2m/70cm based on HB9CV that I attached to a wooden handle. No diplexer/duplexer required. Right now I am only listening on my Baofeng UV5R Plus. I have ordered a full duplex Wouxon KG-UV9K Plus and am looking forward to making some contacts very soon. Mostly I have been listening to AO-91, but SO-50 and AO-92 also make some flyovers. I look forward to contacting, or at least listening to the ISS. Vy 73! de SV0SGS

[@SpaceComms]

Welcome to the hobby! Be aware that the Wouxon will work full duplex on U/v sats like AO-91 but may desense on V/u sats like SO-50. The only in production full duplex HT that doesn't desense on SO-50 is the Kenwood TH-D72, and actually that is just going out of production now. The ISS crossband repeater should be enabled early December. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@andrewmunz1639]

hi John, im andy M7MUZ from the highlands of scotland, two years ago i want to get my licence while buying a clansmanRT320 and while all this was happening i had a stroke which left me "obsessed" with arials and (green) radios. i hear about "net" but i havent got to it yet, i have 4x11m (CB)me and ,my two brothers have RT320, i also have RT349,RT350,RT351/2x2 boa fengs. and CYT RT8900 dual watch, now that i have found you i will go back over your old vids

[@SpaceComms]

Hello Andrew, Thanks for your comment. Sounds like you are seriously into radio! Enjoy, it's a lifelong hobby. I hope you get a lot out of my videos. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@opie1032]

thanks for your reply. I am learning exponentially.

[@opie1032]

Ha. I was not sure you were on Amsat BB. My thanks were sincere to both you and Amsat. Although not a member, someone, or many, respond to almost anything and are very helpful. I plugged your Space Comms there recently as you probably saw. I've got my 12 yr old granddaughter scheduled for her technician test the first week of April. Need to find a reward for her. Where is your swag store located? 😀

[@opie1032]

Thanks, John, for all the videos if yours that I have studied. The info you provided helped me regarding the just completed pass of the ISS. A crew member spoke to a school in Ohio. I am at FM14 in N.Carolina and latched onto full throated signal right after AOS time locally, 2 minutes after AOS in Ohio. I had squelch at zero and when crew spoke all was clear, then static as the next question was asked on the uplink, then the clear answer on the downlink. I don't think we are supposed to hear uplink? I recorded the entire pass from local AOS until signoff at end. My antenna is a homemade 2 element hand-held yagi with #6 copper wire for elements. (WA5VJB designed) Radio connected to yagi was Baofeng UV5R, $20. A second Baofeng UV5R with factory duck antenna was in my other hand. I alternated between radios held near my recorder and there was no difference between the two receiving methods. Clear speech in both radios. I have not put any analysis on my yagi, so it could be poorly matched thereby explaining its performance equal to duckie antenna. All in all, very excited to have experienced the ISS session. Thanks again. If any info needed or the recorded audio, let me know. Isaac W4ITC (end of week three of my LEO learning adventure.)

[@SpaceComms]

Congrats on your first ISS reception! That is what got me back into sats. There is nothing like hearing a voice from inside an orbiting spacecraft, well, except for them hearing and responding to your own! You can do that too if you stick with it long enough. I saw Steven AI9IN responded to your similar message on amsat-bb and covered the two things you were unclear on. The only thing to add is that ARISS does take reports. This is from one of their "Upcoming ARISS Contact schedule" emails: "ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your reports to [e-mail] or [e-mail]."

[@mikesimpson7748]

What satalite tracking programs do you use? I just purchased an arrow 2 antenna and am looking forward in making contacts

[@SpaceComms]

Hey Mike, I use several different ones. On my Android phone I mostly use ISS Detector Pro. I also use Heavens-Above. On my PC I use Orbitron and SatPC32. On my Mac I use MacDoppler. I started a wiki page mostly to keep track of all the different mobile (phone) tracking apps and their different features because it's such a common question, but it also lists the other platforms (PC/Mac/web). sats.wikidot.com/what-apps-can-i-use-to-track-satellites 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@dmparkerjr]

Good morning John. First, I would like to say thank you for what you are doing here. It has been incredibly helpful and interesting for me as a new ham. I have listen to a few passes of SO-50 and holy cow do they talk fast! How do you get a word in when it is happening so quickly? Unfortunately, my callsign does not roll off the tongue either KN4QOT. I would appreciate any suggestions...or if you would like to do a video on the topic it would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays and 73's Dave KN4QOT in FM06

[@SpaceComms]

Sure thing Dave. Normally you will want to use phontetics to say your callsign. That solves the rolling off the tongue problem. As far as getting a word in, try late night passes or early morning weekday passes where it's less busy or work the sats when they're mostly out over the ocean or unpouplated areas. Then you can practice with less people on. Other than that, listen to the callsigns and repeat them back in your head immediately. That helps me so once I want to call someone I don't have to struggle to remember what they said. Just repeat it in your head even if you don't know if you'll call them.

[@Frisky0563]

Hello I'm new to amateur satellites I bought the Arrow 2 UHF/VHF antenna. I live not far from Trevor KD9IXX I'm in en61 in Chicago. I enjoyed your video thank you for making it! Question so the VHF antenna is used in horizontal polarity or does that depend on the pass? kc9dfk

[@SpaceComms]

Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for sharing! The VHF and UHF elements are on opposite planes so they don't interact and mess up the others' signal pattern. You should rotate to get best receive reception or transmit to the sat as necessary. Here is some info on rotating. Applies to other sats as well: spacecomms.wordpress.com/ao-85-twist-trick-and-other-hints/

[@sasa_codm]

How can i install the antenna with the transceiver and is there a specific specifications for the antenna for TH D72 A/E ??????

[@MWDAdventures]

I am new to ham and just wondering will a ft-3dr and an arrow 2 Leo satellite antenna work? My son is interested in space and this looks like a cool way to get him into it. I see alot of people with large setups around there neck and wondered the power requirements? K8MDW

[@SpaceComms]

You don't need much power to work LEO sats. An HT and the Arrow II antenna is fine. The only issue is whoever has the strongest signal into the sat wins. Lots of people will have more power and bigger antennas. It's best to try passes when less people are going to be on them when you're getting started. Either out over the ocean if you're on the coast, or late at night or early in the morning, or work/school days or something like that. The only other thing to point out is full duplex is highly recommended so you can hear if you are getting into the sat and avoid stomping on others. The only in production HT that is full duplex in both V/u and U/v modes is the Kenwood TH-D72. Some other tips: spacecomms.wordpress.com/satellite-setup-tips/

[@MWDAdventures]

Space Comms thanks.

[@MWDAdventures]

I am looking to purchase the antenna but its confusing on the models. I bought a yaesu ft3 and assume I need the duplex side of things with one radio. so what model is that ? 146/437-10WBP Split boom with duplexer. Use one radio with this antenna. (Will fit in the Optional Roll up Bag.). www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html

[@SpaceComms]

That is the correct antenna.

[@opie1032]

As for one more question..... it seems that antenna making or even using bought ones requires a SWR meter or analyzer. I have a MFJ catalog. Is there something for U/v that you use and recommend?

[@SpaceComms]

Most of the popular ham radio analyzers don't go to UHF, which you need for almost all sats. I got this for checking my antennas as it goes to 2.7 GHz (I have a 1.2 GHz antenna for AO-92). www.amazon.com/N1201SA-Vector-Impedance-Antenna-Analyzer/dp/B06VVVCKN8 It's no longer available to order there but you can get the same thing other places. www.ebay.com/itm/N1201SA-137-5MHz-2-7GHz-UV-RF-Vector-Impedance-ANT-SWR-Antenna-Analyzer-Meter/293341272999?hash=item444c809ba7:g:CvsAAOSwXUBd1jav Note if you ever want to make HF antennas you will have to buy another analyzer as this one only goes down to 137.5 MHz, but those are easy to find.

[@opie1032]

John, I sent a comment on another video you made just minute or so ago. Then I found this video and the comments are helping me. I guess the best question to ask you is which videos, other than this one, should I watch. Even better, do you have a compilation of your greatest comments? ha. Jackie Dander (avatar name)

[@SpaceComms]

I have a few things I can point you at: spacecomms.wordpress.com/satellite-setup-tips/ spacecomms.wordpress.com/your-first-satellite-contact-tips/ My Rainy SO-50 has some annotations during the video that might help explain things: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6HZmKqid5l8qdk This video has similar annotations that are explanatory: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqekqaicrqaoZqc

[@opie1032]

Also, is ARRL membership worthwhile? Those two, and local club dues and the outlay gets high. ps- An AMSAT member advised to put a MFJ916 duplexer on only the 2M leg of my dual yagi to act solely as a filter. Comments?

[@SpaceComms]

Not sure about ARRL. I am a member. Theoretically they fight in Congress to represent our interests. QST is a good magazine you get with membership. They have had recent controversy in leadership hiding things from members in board meetings but they do genuinely seem to be trying to get newly licensed hams to actually take up the hobby, which most don't. I think overall I'd recommend them. The filter is helpful on 2m up 70cm down sats as the third harmonic of 2m is in 70cms so it can desense the receiver. You can also just run lower power. I wouldn't do it right away but if you notice desense try it. I actually do get desense on SO-50 and need to try a filter soon.

[@whelenvortex]

How is your Kenwood TH-D72A programmed? I got one recently but haven't figured out the best way to configure it for satellites yet.

[@SpaceComms]

I wrote an FAQ for you :-) How Do I Program The Kenwood Th D72a For Satellites First enable both the A and B bands by pressing DUAL (0 key). While the B band is selected enable full duplex using F -> DUP (0 key as well). DUP should be displayed at the top of the LCD screen. The Kenwood TH-D72A won't store cross-band split memories. I use the VFO instead. I store one memory each for the downlink and uplink (labeled "SO-50 DN" and "SO-50 UP" respectively) and transfer the downlink to the A band and the uplink to the B band using the F -> VFO key sequence. To adjust for doppler on SO-50 I have to switch from the B band (uplink/tx side) to the A band and then adjust the frequency, and then switch back to the A band to TX again. With the Fox birds (AO-85, AO-91, AO-92) you mostly only have to compensate for doppler on the uplink so you don't have to flip around from one band to the other as much. Alternatively you could program all the doppler corrected frequencies in memory and just use memories, but you still won't be able to do split operation and at least for SO-50 you'll have to switch back and forth between bands through the pass. sats.wikidot.com/how-do-i-program-the-kenwood-th-d72a-for-satellites

[@hamtechoutdoor]

Hi John, I had my firts contact with SO50 last weekend. It was great! I was using a ELK antenna and a THD72. Can you tell me more about your recording set up? i.e. how to connect speaker output with both recorder and headphones and as well recording your voice while TX-ing ? Fabio IK2WQH

[@SpaceComms]

Congrats on yoru first SO-50 contact Fabio! To record the speaker I use a self made audio cable which you can see here: spacecomms.wordpress.com/audio-cable-for-kenwood-th-d72/ If you have the radio set up to do full duplex you don't need to record your own voice separately, it will be heard on the downlink and thus in your speaker/recording, but when I record video it records my voice separately.

[@opie1032]

ignore the comment. all is well. btw...I see AMSAT mgt changed, at least at top. Do you see improvement? Do you recommend membership @$44/yr?

[@opie1032]

Can you catalog or index all the videos on a webpage somewhere? So helpful in what you have accomplished. An index would cap it all off nicely.

[@SpaceComms]

If you go to the channel page they are categorized and one category is "uploads" that has all videos. Thanks for your kind words.

[@RenegadeADV]

I really need to research this stuff better, it would be cool to use this to make contacts from the middle of the pacific on my boat!

[@SpaceComms]

You should! If you were active on sats from the ocean you would be in grid squares that don't get a lot of activity and people like to collect as many grid squares as they can get, so you would have lots of people trying to contact you, which can be a lot of fun! They call it a "pile up." 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@RenegadeADV]

I need to go get some Coax so I can get my TS-570 installed in the boat, then I can start working with it more, I have an old Icom IC-735 in here right now that was put in in the 80's, it isn't the best or most sensitive setup. N7ENV

[@SpaceComms]

@@RenegadeADV Oh you're already a ham! Well you're more than halfway there. Get an HT and an Arrow II antenna and you're there!

[@RenegadeADV]

I have been watching The Thought Emporium, he did a video where he used a Double Cross antenna to pull down the digital feed from the Russian Weather Satellites. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZumnYekj5mLnpY I think this winter I am going to get a 5 way PVC fitting and some T's and make my own with a bit higher build quality. The issue with using a directional antenna in my application is that on the boat nothing ever sits still! I hear the Arrow is a really good antenna, but if I am having to hold it to make a contact it probably isn't going to work well because at anchor the boat never stays in one spot for more than a second or two, there is constant motion.

[@SpaceComms]

@@RenegadeADV The beamwidth on the Arrow isn't so tight that rocking would affect the received signal strength. Easily as high as 20-30 degrees.

[@mbainrot]

G'day from Australia, I am slowly chugging along towards my first International Space Station QSO, I had my first stab at building my own antenna rotator and I got mostly good progress though I have a huge amount of slop in my Az, turns out a lazy susan bearing without extra work isn't a particularly good bearing to use heaps of rock 'n roll. I'm currently working on the driver first because I am running into issues with acceleration, far too much jerk, turns out when you have 3kgs of stuff on the rotator, moment of inertia actually matters, funny that huh?! :D Rock on and thank you for sharing your experiences!

[@SpaceComms]

Hehe, I do not build my own rotators so that is cool to me. FWIW, having a QSO with the ISS is very hard mostly because they don't get on the radio for random unscheduled contacts very often. Here's some more info on the situation: spacecomms.wordpress.com/how-to-talk-to-astronauts/ ISS SSTV is happening for the next 18 hours or so though! 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@mbainrot]

I'm only building my own rotator because they're really expensive in Australia and I wanted a challenge, turns out it's quite a challenge lol Yup and it doesn't help that their free time periods when there is a potential for a contact fall either 5pm or 5am local time. Thanks for the tip off about ISS SSTV though, I'll have a go at receiving it with my setup as is, once I work out how to convince it crashing the antenna into the house is not a good idea (code for the motion control is really primitive at the moment, doesn't even do acceleration control and I have it moving probably way too fast, it's currently set to 3ms per step and takes 19200 steps to do a full revolution, if my math is right it's moving at around 6.25deg per second and it still misses steps on occasion, I might try turning the micro-stepping down as 0.01deg resolution is probably overkill (more microsteps you use, the less torque you get)) Next pass from the ISS is 4hrs 25 mins wish me luck :) 73s Max - VK2NMF

[@SpaceComms]

Max Bainrot Haha, yes, .01 deg is overkill as most small antennas have much much wider beamwidths so it doesn't really matter if you are off a few degrees. Good luck with the ISS SSTV! 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@SpaceComms]

BTW, have you seen this rotator from your Aussie ham colleagues Julie VK3FOWL and Joe VK3YSP? www.sarcnet.org/projects/project_rotator.html

[@mbainrot]

Thank you for the clarification on the resolution, that helps out a lot. No I haven't, cheers for linking that, definitely will have a look. Like them I use jaycar pretty heavily. 73s Max - VK2NMF

[@opie1032]

I understand.

[@SpaceComms]

Sorry I don't see what this in response to.

[@GiovanniFritz89]

Good Signal , great 73 PU2GAF From Brazil

[@mordaljohan75]

Hi ! I have a yaesu ft 897 d and vertical vuhf antenna ... possible use sat in cross band with split function ,ctcss with it on vhf / uhf ? I have difficult to put parameters in memory bank ..but i am very interested by sat traffic and want to start this activity .. 73 thanks F5IQX ....

[@SpaceComms]

Yes it can work. It isn't ideal because it isnt full duplex but it will work. Just don't transmit if you can't hear the satellite.

[@mordaljohan75]

@@SpaceComms thanks ! 73 !!!

[@SpaceComms]

@@mordaljohan75 you're welcome!

[@bt619x]

Do you have any info on the 2m/70cm antenna you use?

[@midnightcaller200]

What satellite tracking program are you using?

[@opie1032]

ps- If you didn't see the other comment, I am new to satellites.

[@iz7geg]

Ok, but after all qsos on fm and sstv, when you post someting about shoot an receive pictures(not in sstv mode) from birds? thanks.

[@SpaceComms]

You mean things like weather satellites? I've never done it. I did receive an image from AO-92 taken from its camera once. I haven't made a video of it yet. 73, John Brier KG4AKV

[@iz7geg]

@@SpaceComms i'm newbie regarding birds , and yes i mean exactly what you received from ao-92 cam or for example Lo-90, 1kuns-pf what are the basic set up or rx/tx and software needed, can you show a detailed tutorial for that, thanks for your help , 73 de iz7geg Luca

[@SpaceComms]

@@iz7geg Okay. Well the cool thing is some of those sats you can command them to take the picture. AO-92 can only be commanded to take pics by s few AMSAT control operators. I have never commanded any sat to take a picture so I honestly don't know how it is done. It should be documented on websites. I know Scott K4KDR has done this. I saw someone on Twitter who received a cool pic from i-kuns-pf recently.

[@iz7geg]

@@SpaceComms Yes i know lots of thats birds accepts command to take pic and to send down to ham station, this was exactly what i mean on previus post, but its also fine what you done with ao 92, i think done with foxtelem, but not sure.

[@twkiller]

Hi om How to get elevation map(program/app)?

[@SpaceComms]

It's from MacDoppler. For Windows try Orbitron or SatPC32. For Linux/Win Gpredict is another option.

[@twkiller]

@@SpaceComms thanks om .l like your channel.

[@SpaceComms]

@@twkiller you're welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@theradiodragon2awo]

Hey and what that ARISS contact 5 months ago?

[@SpaceComms]

Miquel I don't understand what you're asking.

[@theradiodragon2awo]

That was 1 part and i am asking where are parts 2, 3 etc ?

[@SpaceComms]

Miquel oh okay. I haven't made those parts yet. Hehe.

[@theradiodragon2awo]

Please made another parts.

[@SpaceComms]

Miquel I will.

[@theradiodragon2awo]

Yesterday i tried to recieve SSTV from ISS but iss was offline

[@SpaceComms]

Miquel What time in UTC? Were you listening on 145.800 MHz? It has been on since Friday sometime I believe. I have heard it twice today.

[@theradiodragon2awo]

I used Software Defined Radio (Buy that for only 20 usd it is nice thing) and it was controlled directly by Orbitron recieved on antenna on which i recieved 2 SSTVs series from ISS in past. ISS was at maximum i think 85 degress above me. And absolutelly nothing.

[@SpaceComms]

Miquel Very odd. I wonder if you can receive AO-85, AO-91, AO-92. Something may have happened.

[@theradiodragon2awo]

no but i am daily recieving NOAA sats APT transmittion and now i have build HB9CV antenna for SO-50 downlink and satellite is going over the horizon so i hope i will get downlink. UPDATE: I didnt recieved Downlink BUT maybe it was because connection between antenna and SDR was bulky.

[@SpaceComms]

Miquel Good luck. Occasionally the gaps in transmission are longer than the normal 2 minutes but I've never heard of them being longer than 10 minute (pass length).

[@Mr.Radiopants]

Double rainbow!!!!!!!

[@SpaceComms]

Mr. Radio Pants haha!

[@itsthatwally9648]

I dont even know how to start with this stuff😂😂😂