The original poster started amateur radio in June 2024, but due to poor home environment, they could only install a Ma01 antenna for fishing.(Although B100IARU's 27 points were all achieved through Ma01)
I came across a post by BG0AUB's teacher, Zhao, and learned about the amateur radio payload QO100 on Qatar's commercial satellite. After considering it, I decided not to pursue this.
First, you need to prepare the transmitter (S-band) and receiver (Ku-band). It's relatively easy to acquire equipment in Xinjiang. The area I went to has an elevation angle of 11.3 degrees, and since it's a satellite in a geostationary orbit, its position is quite stable.
After reviewing the materials, begin preparing the necessary documents:
Tips: Since I have limited building skills, all parts were purchased as finished products. Apologies to all the experienced builders.
The transmitter comes from @BH4FSK The X6100 purchased from the teacher's office, original version with original paint and no stickers removed.(I'm amazed by FSK's photography skills; he can make any equipment look good.)
When paired with the localino qo100 upconverter-h, this unit features a combined design of a frequency changer and amplifier, capable of converting common frequencies such as 6m, 10m, 2m, and 70cm to 2.4GHz, and outputting 40dBm through its built-in amplifier. It also includes an internal reference signal and VOX recognition for SSB signals, enabling stable transmission. Testing has shown good results; after passing through a 1.5m RG142 feeder cable, the power reaches above 8W, which is sufficient for SSB alone.
(Just a note that this thing is quite expensive, and you can't directly ship it to mainland China. If you're shipping from outside the EU, you also have to pay an additional customs fee. I know because...)
The antenna consists of two parts: the feed + phased array. By "phased array," I mean a common parabolic antenna (like a TV satellite dish or radio telescope), while the feed is responsible for signal output. For the S-band, there are typically two options for the feed: microstrip and helical. In this case, I have ordered both types. The microstrip antenna comes from @BG0EUQ Teacher, the helical antenna comes from @BH2RSJ Lactic acid bacteria instructor.
The receiver uses RSPdx, a PLL LNB specifically designed for QO100 export, commonly referred to as a high-frequency head, which is used for receiving satellite television. It includes a TXCO and outputs a 25MHz reference signal. This allows the conversion of Ku-band signals into 700-800MHz output. During this experiment, the CW beacon signal of QO100 was stabilized at 739.55MHz, using 13.8V biased feed power. Over time, there is a slight frequency drift, but it's very minor. However, for FT8, an additional 25MHz reference signal is required. This LNB will have another interface, saving the need for a separate signal generator. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to investigate this further yet.
The wok used for stir-frying has a diameter of 90 cm, which is quite large and makes cooking very flavorful.
After completing the preparations, I moved to location 0 (NN34) and started setting up the antenna. First, I connected my SDR using a laptop to search for satellite beacons. When using tracking software, I encountered a major problem: even though I aimed at the satellite, no beacon was detected, and there were no obstructions in front of me. Later, I consulted with another station in location 0, and they informed me that if you use a traditional antenna, the angle needs to be negative. This meant turning the antenna upside down. After reinstalling it and changing the direction, it immediately worked. The following is an incorrect setup method: ↓↓↓
After turning the antenna around, I aimed it at the satellite and successfully received its CW beacon. However, the embarrassing situation still occurred: my laptop didn't charge, which drained the battery during SDR software operation, so I quickly searched for the SSB frequency and called out, but unfortunately no one responded, and I didn't have time to record a video. Even after hearing the echo, it was very satisfying.
I had originally planned to close down, but then I remembered that Zhao's post mentioned a QO-100 websdr. I immediately switched to my phone and started transmitting, and the signal seemed better than on my computer. I'm not sure if it's a problem with the speaker or the receiver.
The results are as follows:http://xhslink.com/a/1xRP1sWnEBybb
Due to other more important tasks, this QO100 test connection has ended. It lasted for 3 hours and was primarily intended to test the equipment we have. If it proves suitable, we plan to set up a permanent station in the future.
This time, I achieved 3 QSOs. However, only one of them specified the rules for sending QSL cards on QRZ. The first QSO with 100 failed to complete successfully, but I gained a lot of new knowledge. I hope that in the future, I can successfully set up a QO-100 base station. Thank you all for your support and help. It was great to be able to make QSOs while flying. 73~
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