Wow, this would be great if we are in the footprint. I might finally get a chance to use the 2.4 GHz transverter I built back in the AO-40 days.
And with the cheap LNB's we've been playing with on 10 GHz, receive would be pretty easy. I built a 10 GHz receive system here to monitor my 10 GHz beacon on a mountain for around $15. Uses a surplus DSS dish and my FUNcube for an IF.
Here's a typical type LNB we've been playing with. They work well! 10.4 GHz would come out at ~ 650 MHz.
http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Digital-Universal-Single-Performance/dp/B0089DY...
Mike
On 3/23/2014 8:31 AM, Gary "Joe" Mayfield wrote:
I checked my calendar. It is not April 1st!
Peter,
Any guess as to the longitude of the satellite?
73, Joe kk0sd
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Peter Guelzow Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2014 6:25 AM To: AMSAT; AMSAT - Forum Subject: [amsat-bb] Es'HailSat-2 will carry two geostationary "Phase 4" amateur radio transponders !!
Es'HailSat-2 will carry two geostationary "Phase 4" amateur radio transponders !!
As a result of a concept proposed by the Qatar Amateur Radio Society, Es' Hailsat, the Qatar Satellite Company, have announced that their new, geostationary, Es'HailSat-2 communications spacecraft will provide transponders for use by radio amateurs. The spacecraft is expected to be ready for launch by the end of 2016. Es'HailSat-2 will provide a 250kHz linear transponder intended for conventional analogue operations in addition to another transponder which will have an 8MHz bandwidth. The latter transponder is intended for experimental digital modulation schemes and DVB amateur television.
Precise uplink and downlink frequencies remain to be finalized but the uplinks will be in the 2.40-2.45GHz and the downlinks in the 10.450-10.500GHz amateur satellite service allocations Both transponders will have broad beam antennas to provide full coverage over about 1/3rd of the earth's surface. Precise operational plans will be finalised over the coming months but it is anticipated that only quite simple ground equipment will be required to use this satellite.
A team of amateurs, led by Peter Guelzow DB2OS (President of AMSAT-DL) are providing technical support to this ground breaking project which is expected to provide an exciting new phase of activity for radio amateurs for the 21st century.