UTARC VHF Space Communications

The N5XU club station is presently equipped with gear to operate Amateur Radio Satellites modes A, B, JA, KA, KT, and T. The satellite radio is a Yaesu FT-847, which is designed to be capable of full-duplex, cross-band operation. Satellite tracking software (Nova for Windows) is loaded on the computer at the VHF table in the club station. We also have a SASI Sat Tracker hardware interface that connects our azimuth-elevation rotor to the computer. The interface and rig frequency control are both integrated with the satellite tracking software.

A fifteen foot galvanized steel mast is bolted to the stairway railing just outside of the club station. Atop the mast is a Yaesu G-5500 azimuth/elevation rotor. This rotor has an eight-foot long, solid fiberglass boom, painted black, on which three antennas are mounted: a ten-element cross-polarized yagi for 145 MHz, an eight-element, cross-polarized yagi for 435 MHz, and a barbecue grill dish and downconverter for 2.4 GHz.