Amateur Satellite FAQ & How-To
Welcome
This wiki was started to document Frequently Asked Questions across various forums (amsat-bb mailing list, AMSAT-NA Facebook group, #amsat on Twitter, QRZ satellite forum). It can be more more than an FAQ though. The intention is not to duplicate information, but to document information that isn't already cataloged or well presented elsewhere. See the About page for more info and rules. Below you will find the existing content:
Frequently Asked Questions
- What apps can I use to track satellites?
- How do you know when the ISS is transmitting SSTV?
- How do you add add 2 meter only digipeaters to SatPC32?
- How do you log satellite contacts in LoTW?
- What homebrew tracking az el rotators are there?
- What Prebuilt Tracking Az El Rotators Are There?
- I cannot find AO-85 TLEs in Gpredict SatPC32 AMSATDroid or Celestrak Does it show up in another name?
- How do I program the Kenwood TH-D72A for satellites?
- What Yaesu G-5550 rotor computer interfaces are there?
- Does someone know of a chart I could use converting uplink frequencies to downlink frequencies on linear birds?
- How to digipeat?
- Can I use egg beaters for sats?
- How do I set up my radio to work the ISS APRS digipeater?
- How do you connect a recorder and headset to the TH-D72A?
- What is a good recorder for satellites?
- How do I check whether AO-91 or another satellite is in eclipse?
- When is the LilacSat-2 CAS-3H FM repeater turned on?
How-Tos
- How to create multiple profiles in GoSatWatch
- How to receive telemetry from Fox sats and NOAA weather sats
- How to build a 2m/70cm portable tape measure beam - W6NBC QST article
- How to get email notifications for upcoming ISS SSTV events
- How to navigate SatPC32 for new users (video by Mike VA3MW)
- How to drill the boom of an Arrow antenna to lower its weight aka the LidStick
Random links
- ISS SSTV award display Photoshop file Expedition 60 Series 14 by KY0TES (Expedition 60 - ARISS Series 14.psd)
- ISS SSTV award display Photoshop file Expedition 63 Series 16 edit by E20ZFD (ARISS SSTV Expedition 63 - 3-4&6-8 October 2020 Edit by E20ZFD.psd)
- ISS SSTV award display Photoshop file Expedition 64 Series 17 edit by E20ZFD (20Yr_Anniv_ARISS-SSTV_Exp64_S17_24-31_Dec_2020_by_E20ZFD.psd)
- TLE doctor A Windows program that fixes "incorrect positions of spaces, dots, missing two dashes, etc." in Keplerian elements TLE text files.
Satellite Talks
- Zach Leffke, KJ4QLP to Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association
- Joe Domaleski, KI4ASK Amateur Radio Satellites 101
Grid square tools
- SatMatch maiden map
- SatMatch Amateur Radio Satellite Pass Matcher
- aprs.fi (search by grid *locator*, switch to satellite view)
- Google Maps grid square locator (HA8TKS Ham Geocoding)
- K2DSL grid square locator
- FG8OJ sked tool to find passes between two grids
- KE4AL/K7TAB Gridmaster Excel Map
- KE4AL/K7TAB Gridmaster Google sheets Map
- GridMasterHeatMap
- submitting data to the Gridmaster Heat Map
- Confluence.org - The Degree Confluence Project - pictures and descriptions of grid square corners
Reference
page revision: 68, last edited: 15 Apr 2021 02:23