Welcome to my amateur radio satellite page, this is DU1AU! The links below will help you get started with satellite communications:

DIY Satellite Antenna
Portable Satellite Radio Setup
DIY Satellite Tracker

Using a 5W transceiver and a DIY antenna to access amateur radio satellites

Satellite repeaters are no different to a regular terrestrial repeater used by your ham radio group, except that they are in space! A number of satellites are accessible to anyone with an amateur radio license. The easiest satellites are the following, with corresponding info on uplink and downlink frequencies, as well as the required tone for repeater access.

Satellite	Designation	Uplink Frequency (TX)	Downlink Frequency (RX)	Tone	Power Required (Minimum)	License Required (Philippines)
FOX-1B	AO-91	435.250 MHz	145.960 MHz	(none)	5 W	Class C
FOX-1D	AO-92	435.350 MHz	145.880 MHz	67.0 Hz	5 W	Class C
LAPAN A2	IO-86	145.880 MHz	435.880 MHz	88.5 Hz	5 W	Class C
Saudi OSCAR 50	SO-50	145.850 MHz	436.795 MHz	67.0 Hz	5 W	Class C
DIWATA 2	PO-101	437.500 MHz	145.900 MHz	141.3 Hz	5 W	Class C

Any portable radio will work, especially for overhead passes, but in order to improve signal transmission and reception, external antennas must be used. You can use any antenna, but the ones that work best are the directional types (Yagi-Uda for example).

Making a QSO via Satellite

Here’s a demonstration on how I used a two-way radio and a homebrewed antenna to contact local and foreign stations using the AO91 satellite. Notice how I tracked the satellite using a home-brewed antenna.

Satellite communications continue to be an exciting hobby. I hope this overview has inspired to give it a try and learn another way of enjoying amateur radio!

Related links:
DIY Satellite Antenna
Portable Satellite Radio Setup

Night Sky in Focus
Astronomy and Amateur Radio
© Anthony Urbano (Manila, Philippines)

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