Ed,
The NOAA transmissions from K, L and M satellites are right-hand circular polarized. Transmission power is pretty high, I think 5 watts.
While you can probably get by with the Arrow, it isn't circularly polarized, and is probably tuned for around 145 MHz (versus 137 MHz). There are plans and kits available for very cheap helix antennas, the simplest being made from PVC, wire and coax. A google search for 'noaa apt antenna' turns up quite a few hits. I'm using an M2 2-meter Egg Beater without a pre-amp, and it works pretty well.
Here are some references you might find useful:
http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c4/sec4-2.htm ARRL Weather Satellite Handbook: http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=4483
73,
Dave n0tgd
On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 9:19 AM, Ed Tump ed@squaretfarm.com wrote:
Folks,
Thanks for the response on power. Now I wonder if my Arrow satellite antenna will work for these weather satellites or my AL800 HT antenna.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
73,
Ed
KC9GWK Grid EN52
AmSat Member
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