Working an easy satellite with the equiptment you already have
UO-14
I was reading a recent issue of QST and I found an intersting article on working the UO-14 FM satellite. After reading more and looking it up on the web I decided I would try my hand at making some satellite contacts. As I tuned in that first night after getting the info on it's pass off NASA's website right here I was suprised to actually HEAR people! Not only that but after a few more passes I actually made a contact! What truly amazed me was that my simple Dual Band Kenwood TMV-7A and my J-Pole could work something 500 miles in the sky! After that I decided that I needed to let other new hams know about this satellite that almost anyone can work with almost any radio. I have made about 4 contacts so far (one was a ham in Los Angles with a 2 watt HT), and I'm hooked! Expect to see me at the next event with strange looking beam antennas and many new contacts to talk about.
Here are the Uplinks and Downlinks
Adjusting for doppler shift
DOPPLER SHIFT: The change in frequency of a received signal
due to the motion of the satellite. This requires adjustment of the
transmit or receive frequency, with the common practice being
to change the higher of the two frequencies in use
Remember to open your squelch ALL the way
on the downlink. REMEMBER, never transmit
unless you can hear the downlink clearly!! It's
considered bad satellite etiquette!These Frequencies are in order and you should adjust them as needed in other words.. Start listening to the satellite on 145.970 and move down as need for better reception.
Here is some info on the UO-14 Satellite. It was Launched January 22, 1990 by a Ariane 4 launcher from Kourou, French Guiana. Inclination 98.7 degrees Box shaped 350 x 350 x 650 mm Four solar panels and 6 m gravity gradient boom UO-14 is a LEO or Low Earth Orbit Satellitet. A LEO is a name given to satellites with orbits in the 600 to 2000 kilometer altitude range. The LEOs normally circle the earth about every 1.5 to 2 hours. Their low altitude gives rise to a small footprint and their speed causes the pass to be of short duration. UO-14 was originally used as a digital store and forward BBS. It carried digital traffic around the world for medical staff working in communication challenged third world countries. When UO-22 was launched it took over the duties. Since that time UO-14 had been sending telemetry until February, 2000 when the control operators toggled the bird to mode J FM. Unfortunately, a disadvantage to a low orbit is that the satellites' footprints (area "seen" by the satellite at any one time) are small and their passes are short. Consequently, people who use UO-14 generally limit themselves to very short QSO's or even use the quick contact format similar to that used during contests. Do not let this dissuade you from trying them, however.
A Picture of UO-14
There are many places to look for information on other satelites that you can use. One such place is http://www.qsl.net/kg8oc, He has lots of info on other FM and easy satellites that you can work from your house. Also do not forget http://www.amsat.org they have more info than anyone on satellites that hams can use, (check out that Phase 3-D one they are launching soon looks very neat).
My only suggestion for using this and other satellites is get yourself a Good dual band beam antenna. This helps alot. You can make these yourself or you can buy them. I am in the process of making my own with plans I got from QST magazine, plans for such an antenna are all over the web or ham magazines. I have provided pictures of some from Arrow below. While using a beam antenna helps, this satelite you can work with just a simple j-pole and have some fun
