THAT STOCK HT ANTENNA NEEDS TO BE "IMPROVED."
Most stock HT antennas are measured at -6db gain - or worse! An improved whip will help on RX ... but HT whips are not ideal at all: For reliable success you really need some gain. Some great DIY antenna projects - and other ideas - here for you!
Sat Skeds
You are here!
Tracking
TRACKING
My Gear
Antennas
Do Tape Measure Antennas Measure Up?
Short answer: YES! I am working Commander Wiseman in the photo to the right - as he was about 450 miles downrange aboard the ISS. My Yaesu FT-60R was turned DOWN to 2W TX power. Here's an MP3 of that brief contact.
Measure Beam (from the
01/2012 issue of QST (pdf)
The Smiley (pictured) operates ...
- 1/4 wave 2M fully extended
- 5/8 wave 440 2 sections down
- 1/4 wave 440 fully collapsed
- 1/4 wave 220 4 sections down
It has a tuned coil/spring which protects your delicate HT antenna connector, and is available with just about any connector. The flex coil matching network provides at band center low SWR as well as a +/- 5 MHz band center. Length is 4.5" down and 16.5" up. NOT the gain for satellites - but a great alternative to stock HT antennas!
(And the Smiley is HALF the price of the popular Diamond SRH-320a!)
Ed Fong's CLASSIC J-Pole Antennas
NOTES ...
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3
Full-duplex operations
Although preferable to work satellites in full-duplex mode - defined as being able to hear the downlink as you key your mic - it is not absolutely mandatory. Just listen and wait for a break in the action!
Reception ...
You will hear the strong 2M downlinks from AO-91 and AO-92 with stock antennas ... But you really need some gain to access them!
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4
First mod: adding an ergonomic handle.
Second mod: a "tray" for your HT on the handle end of the boom. Click here for photos.
Either is a great investment. Some Internet "myths" debunked in this article.
ARTICLES
Daimon Tilley G4USI
Daimon cited our sitein the June, 2020 issue of Practical Wireless magazine. Click here for a copy!
Clint Bradford, K6LCS
CQ Amateur Radio published my satellite tutorial in the May, 2012 Special Dayton issue.
Doug Cook KD5PDN
Doug wrote two great articles on working the ISS: One article using a tape measure beam, the other using an antenna made out of barbed wire!
To the left are some fun-to-build, proven antenna projects.
Build them "to the letter," and you won't need expensive testing equipment.
