9 Apr
2021
9 Apr
'21
5:43 p.m.
SO-50 is linearly polarized as far as I know. It has a 1/4 wave whip for transmitting. Circular polarization will help you avoid the need to match polarizations as it tumbles.
Lilacsat-2 has a circularly polarized downlink, but because the satellite tumbles, at any given point you might be receiving LHCP, RHCP, or linear polarization depending on its orientation. You can imagine it as a helical antenna tumbling around. So at some points you'll get fades unless you can flip your CP.
You're only stuck needing a specific polarization for satellites that are stabilized, for example if you want to receive NOAA APT.
-Stephen DeVience N8URE