How to work amateur radio satellites with your handheld (HT) radio

[@Brian424]

Not bad for a ten year old video. I have the same antenna used in the video, purchased a few months ago in preparation for the day I would get the ambition to work satellites. Today was that day. I've been researching this all day, and I programmed the frequencies for the ISS and two other satellites into my FT-5D. Just in time, I caught the last part of a pass of the SO-50 satellite, and I was able to find it with the antenna and hear a few guys make some QSOs. I did not get in on the action, but I heard some, and that's great for my first time out in the yard doing this. I only had about three minutes of the pass left when I got out the door. The advice to rotate the antenna side-to-side was great. It helped bring the signal in more clearly, and I had time to switch back and forth between frequencies to see which was better. I was able to hear the progress of the satellite through space by which frequency worked best. I'm very happy with my accomplishments in the realm of amateur satellite today, and your video was a big part of it. Here's hoping that 10 years later, you're still swinging that Arrow antenna around and hearing voices from outer space. Thanks for the video! The ISS will be in the neighborhood in about 45 minutes with a max elevation of 52 degrees. Awesome. I'm setting a timer so I don't miss it.

[@trackpackgt877]

Awesome vid I hadn't even thought about satellite repeaters until I accidentally picked up the International Space Station a few days ago on my handheld and ever since then I've been obsessed with the satellites thanks for the video bro

[@ronaldhallam7309]

Thank you. This was a great explanation and demonstration. I didn’t realize how little time the satellites would be available.

[@recumbentogiro26]

So glad you made this video. I've seen quite a few videos where they're using two radios just to communicate.

[@jennifer86010]

I used to work the Oscar satellites with two large antenna arrays, one of cross polarized yagi beam on 2 meters single sideband, and the other on 70 centimeter sideband....I had to continue to move the antennas using rotor box controls, as I also had to continue to move the tuning dials of both radios...it was full duplex conversation on sidebands for about 90 seconds, after which the satellite went over the horizon, and it took another hour and a half for it to reappear over the western horizon for it's 90 minute visit. Lots of work, using expensive and heavy equipment.

[@glazuna]

man those guys on the waves are freakin fast, as soon as he releases PTT button, the guy on the other side replies

[@gsansoucie]

Wow, this is perhaps the best “how do I get onto a satellite” video I’ve seen. I wish I saw the trick with holding the HT with a whip before I tried to work the ISS via APRS a little while ago, I was trying to keep the antenna perpendicular to the ISS which I could clearly see in its flyby. Heard one packet, that was it. Next is for me to try this out with my F6A. de W1ND

[@jjmoss99]

The best video i've seen of explaining the use of a HT to communicate through a satellite. Thanks for the info. I learned a lot.

[@mesochace]

Good introduction to working the satellites. Great tips on what to do before starting your contacts. Good Work!

[@davidschwartz9636]

Thank you for the very good and clear description of what's needed, and demonstration of how it works in practice. This is something I'm going to have a try at. 73s David M0XQZ

[@verissimomariz8123]

hello from Portugal thank you for all the information , I was very rewarding to see your video

[@DavidKirwanirl]

[@jmitsch44827]

EXCELLENT VIDEO VERY HELPFUL; TO ME. I ENJOYED THIS "How to work amateur radio satellites with your handheld" VERY WELL DONE. LOOKS LIKE GREAT FUN.

[@NcalBiker]

Excellent video. Just purchased the same Arrow antenna and look forward to working the birds. 73 from Denver. KF6AAR

[@terryjones2854]

Great video! Thanks for sharing in such detail....and the live example.

[@walterhynson2898]

thanks ,you are a great teacher....getting ready for the Tech exam....WCH

[@gnic731]

Nice. I'm gonna pick up a yagi this week. Great informative video. I have the Yaesu FT1DR.

[@Bearlar7]

What HT is that, a VX series? Love the way you can program the shift in freq and name of the satellite.

[@wildrootsfarm1975]

Great demo, lots of great information.

[@JoeVSvolcano]

Wow. If only we could communicate with our Wives as easily!

[@man2fix4u]

JoeVSvolcano Not a chance

[@1fanger]

Thanks for the demo.

[@usmcpatriot4137]

great video KDHAL Bronx, NY

[@fukgovernment]

Thanks! Can enlighten me on my issue? I am using DJ-S45 alinco UHF HT at 437MHz as my flight radio of my 300km orbit cubesat.. The antenna is a monopole whip antenna, and the power rating according to manufacturer is 0.5 to 1W. Based on your knowledge or experience, do you think a link with ground station is possible?

[@usmcpatriot4137]

KD2HAL BRONX, NY Great video

[@N2RRAny]

Great tutorial! It's gonna help a lot today as I'm going to attempt my first contact. 73!

[@jamesw6529]

Your tips were awesome. But it would have been so much better if you would have put links for all the sites you had spoken about.

[@Sky1]

I used to work satellites with my Yaesu FT-847 Earth Station using stacked 13b2's on 2 with 160 Tokyo HiPower and a Cushcraft boomer for the 432. However, it seems more challenging doing it your way. What Satellites are now in full operation today? Several have gone off the air.

[@javierescobar434]

great demonstration.. very informative..

[@Purplereignevents]

Please help me. I need to find the best camera to take pictures of low orbiting satellites. They are stationary and I know they are connected to the sensors in my body. How do we stop them?

[@iwan6841]

You make it look easy

[@SDRplayRSP]

If you just want to listen and already own a PC, then a very cost effective way of doing this is with an SDR (Software defined radio) - the RSP from SDRplay works very well - lots of detailed threads on forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/sdrplay-as-satellite-downlink-receiver.490793/

[@Cephas049]

So I downloaded Satscape. Now how do I install it. Microsoft wants me to install another "viewer" program. Is this necessary?

[@mohawk14616]

Most excellent video!

[@weare1389]

So how do i program the baofeng to listen on the downlink and transmit on the uplink..? Anyone know..?

[@WH6FQE]

This is very interesting. I just received my new ELK Dual and antenna today and hope to be out "hunting birds" soon. Not sure who will be able to hear me out here in Hawaii as I am not sure how large the footprint of the birds will be, but I am going to give it a shot.

[@PhilBailey]

That was so inspiring. Thank you.

[@JamesHannibalKH2SR]

Satellite APRS is cool but it's difficult to utilize while walking around carrying cumbersome 2m antennas. I suggest that the ISS APRS digipeater receive an upgrade that adds an uplink frequency on the 23cm ham band (1200mhz) while maintaining its current uplink/downlink frequency of 145.825MHz. This would allow for considerably smaller directional and hemispherical antennas that could easily be carried by hand, mounted to a handheld radio, or placed in a backpack. forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/23cm-33cm-geosynchronous-aprs-digipeater-satellite-idea.536671/

[@ranting95]

I learned to work satellites from this video. google cheap yagi for a much cheaper and I think better antenna than the arrow or elk.

[@kb9ylu]

wow i have never done this looks fun 73Great job

[@rufusromeo]

That was great. Thanks for the video.

[@MauroPereira1000]

Awsome! How much power you use to transmit? I tried today, no sucess...

[@ChelmsVlog]

that is incredibly cool. thanks

[@michaelsharp8229]

New ham here =) Questions: Why do you hold the radio upside down when using the rubber ducky antenna? What HH are you using? Subbed! 73, Michael / KD9MED

[@tuckmeat]

If you're just using the radio with its own antenna, you hold it that way because the antenna radiates off the sides. Essentially, you're trying to orient the antenna in a manner to get the most signal radiating toward the satellite.

[@DuckingAround58]

Good video lots of really good information. What model antenna ate you using? I looked at the arrow antenna website and there are a lot of models

[@tuckmeat]

Arrow 146/437-10

[@DuckingAround58]

WorldwideDX Radio Forum thank you! 73

[@kattgreenbackupaccount1342]

+WorldwideDX Radio Forum do you have any tips for using the arrow 146/437-10 if you have hands that shake?

[@apotheque]

+WorldwideDX Radio Forum Are you using the 146/437-10 with or without the 10W duplexer?

[@timtucker5805]

+D'Asha Green Drill and tap a hole in it to and mount it on a standard camera tri-pod. Use the standard elevation and rotating adjustment on the tripod to track the bird.

[@vojkotravner6413]

very useful, many thanks, 73

[@neknim]

wow great demo! Thx!

[@fuzzygear8690]

Hello AE6LX, awesome video!! I´m trying the same here in Lisbon, Portugal. Would you like to try a satellite communication next Tuesday March 14th? Thanks!!

[@elfnetdesigns702]

Just so you know the satscape website is not up anymore. I use Orbitron

[@KillercatRadio]

Great video, cheers from NY - KB2GQZ

[@Thejohnnyoshow]

so beings the polarity different between 2m and70 cm doest that mean you have to remote it every time you switch from rx to tx?

[@timtucker5805]

No. The satellite sort-of "tumbles" through space; it's antenna moving all around, resulting in a circular polarization to earth. The beauty of using an antenna like this handheld is that you simple turn your wrist to obtain the best signal.

[@joshdaley1447]

FUN! Good video.

[@kb3uyt356]

Thanks! Good information.

[@davidray4128]

Awesome. I take it I need a full duplex handheld like a FT3dr?

[@tuckmeat]

You do not need a full duplex handheld. The one used in this video is not full duplex. Full duplex helps you hear if you're making it into the bird or not, but isn't a requirement for success.

[@davidray4128]

@@tuckmeat Ok. Thanks

[@nuwais]

Great Video and thanks, 73s

[@KB2CWN]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@DDavisStark]

Awesome video thanks

[@PpsyP]

Nice video...thanks for sharing as I will attempt this as some point...73! N3WVH!

[@Purplereignevents]

I need s strong DVR system to track there movement. When I walk outside 3am they retrack.

[@michaelhuerta248]

you need to adjust the compass for magnetic deviation/declination. Otherwise you will be pointing at the wrong place.

[@timtucker5805]

+che guevara That depends greatly on where you are located on the planet. If you take into consideration the beamwidth of the antenna, the declination variation may or may not be a factor. In addition, if you are moving the antenna by hand to track the satellite, you can simply adjust the direction by hearing the signal. It need not be as precise and complicated as it seems.

[@renegtz]

what is the recommended power to use? what if you use a mobile radio instead?

[@qfan6765]

Some of these handheld antenna manuals say no more than 10w or 20w when held by hand. I guess they don't want to be liable for burns.

[@darrellcollins877]

great vid ! thnx !

[@killerdalek]

I get excited by amateur radio myself, but never enough to get a stiffie!

[@gsaldana22]

Noticed that also, lol

[@jayalan76]

Great tutorial. I will try that soon. KB1ZSX.

[@tehPwnzor7306]

What HT are you using?

[@LordGryllwotth]

Looks like someone got hamhardon at the end.

[@Runtothemusic]

nice...thanks for the info

[@Giovanniram22]

Very nice video. Thank you. It is difficult to memorize these Call signs for one who doesnt speek very well the english language!

[@Conde61]

Like the vines on the back yard

[@ranulph314]

muchas gracias!

[@plunder23]

How are satellites able to broadcast their signal kg they are such low power devices in the region of a few watts

[@timtucker5805]

They're solar powered and only need a few mw to get the signal through free space down to earth.

[@betsysingh-anand3228]

Oh how cool is this?!?!?! I will be trying this SOON!!!!!! KE8JQO

[@Random4x5]

thank you

[@kurtreber9813]

Are there any that are geosynchronous?

[@nshire]

AO-51 died, what are some other good satts?

[@LynkedVideos]

SO-50 and the new LO-78 are FM operational.

[@vascosoares4543]

Hi! Where I can find that type of antenna?

[@P25AES]

About to make my first AO-27 contact using a ht

[@saadali5407]

Who were those guys on the other side and what is benefit of this communication

[@hadleybee9710]

Lol I was wondering the same thing. How can it be helpful if you are in an emergency and contact who knows who?

[@weare1385]

You look like the lead singer of Queens of the Stone age. Anyways nice video!

[@planeguy3223]

The point isn't to say a bunch of meaningless numbers. The point is that you're communicating with people half way around the world under your own power, and you're not relying on any infrastructure to do it. You don't think it's completely bad ass that a person like you or me can communicate using a satellite? Or if you're lucky, you can communicate with the international space station. If that doesn't blow your mind, I don't know what will.

[@Sagiri_Izumi]

HE LOOK LIKE AirForceProud95

[@Nal85]

great!!.

[@kb9ylu]

ok ao 51 is gone and ao27 so what is left?

[@seank730321]

Anyway we can download satscape without downloading all the other garbage they piggy back on it?

[@MrJimdug]

is A0 51 dead now

[@sweetgyy]

cool

[@AndrewSouthgate.]

can you use facebook onit?

[@reddpepper711]

FB, tuckmeat, Good Clip. 73. Redd...

[@wabashvalleyhomesolutionsc6860]

Satscape does not run on win

[@pushdword]

13:30 japan?

[@pushdword]

Tim Gore J is juliet.

[@rjgvideos9996]

8:43 wtf did that come from xD

[@MikeG-js1jt]

you mean kilohertz....you said hertz

[@volkerking7634]

AO51 is death

[@NeeBflatearth]

:(

[@johnboy6666]

so u need to use a amateur radio satellite to use a amateur radio well that has turned me off using a amateur radio for good thanx for the information

[@alstaley4049]

LOL... With your reading comprehension problem I seriously doubt you could pass the exam.

[@locomucho946]

any flat earthers here, doing some real research... ?

[@MauroPereira1000]

Awsome! How much power you use to transmit? I tried today, no sucess...

[@saucierdavid8109]

A HT typically transmits 2-5 watts.