Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) with antennas in attic?
I have HOA rules that prevent me from putting antennas on the roof where I live. However, I can put antennas in the attic. I have an Az/El setup that I could mount up in the attic, but wanted to get some feedback from folks on any experience they've had working the LEO satellites with antennas in the attic.
Thanks! - Dave N2TEB
This is the only way I work satellites, David. I have 2 Elk antennas in the attic, one over the other attached to a shovel, aimed at 30 degrees elevation (fixed) and I can only change the azimuth. I do have the ARR pre-amps at the antennas to help with the received signal, so that does help.
Mark Lunday WD4ELG
On Mon, Dec 27, 2010 at 9:59 PM, David Mennerich [email protected] wrote:
I have HOA rules that prevent me from putting antennas on the roof where I live. However, I can put antennas in the attic. I have an Az/El setup that I could mount up in the attic, but wanted to get some feedback from folks on any experience they've had working the LEO satellites with antennas in the attic.
Thanks!
- Dave N2TEB
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Dave, While not optimal you should be able to have some success with this setup.
Thanks,
The first half dozen or so satellite qso's I did were done from inside the house using a handheld 70cm yagi. Uplink was done via an outside dual band groundplane on the roof. The receive was done with the yagi and by experimentation, I discovered that reception was much better outside than inside. Problem was it was TOO cold outside at the time.
Given all that, your az/el setup with decent yagis (preferably x-yagis with circular polarity) and a preamp for 70cm downlink should be very workable unless you have metal roofing.
73,
Jeff Moore -- KE7ACY CN94
----- Original Message ----- From: "David Mennerich" [email protected]
I have HOA rules that prevent me from putting antennas on the roof where I live. However, I can put antennas in the attic. I have an Az/El setup that I could mount up in the attic, but wanted to get some feedback from folks on any experience they've had working the LEO satellites with antennas in the attic.
Thanks! - Dave N2TEB _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Dave. It is not ideal, but I've made it work even on Oscar 6 and 7 from a college dorm (until I snuck the antennas up on the roof...)
There is an entire group of articles by Steve Ford of the ARRL about what I call "low impact" Oscar antennas (including Attic ones). I've seen him post on this forum and you probably can reach him through ARRL (he has responded to me!). I bet he can point you in some general directions of things he has tried and the results he has had.
His articles are technically solid, well written, and fun to read...
Robert G. Oler WB5MZO ARRL Life Member AMSAT life member
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:59:42 -0500 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Is it possible to work LEO sats (FM or SSB) with antennas in attic?
I have HOA rules that prevent me from putting antennas on the roof where I live. However, I can put antennas in the attic. I have an Az/El setup that I could mount up in the attic, but wanted to get some feedback from folks on any experience they've had working the LEO satellites with antennas in the attic.
Thanks!
- Dave N2TEB
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Dave,
I put my HEO setup in the attic at our new home, actually I had the architect specifically design the attic to hold it. It works great for the satellites that are up there now, anyway. Even on L and S band. Our home has the foam encapsulation, so the attic has no metal "heat barrier" or other lining and it stays a pretty comfortable 70-90 degrees depending on the season for working on the antennas. There is a spot where the foil covered HVAC duct runs cross the horizon of the antennas but I haven't really noticed a big degradation of the signals by that. Have a peek at http://www.qsl.net/n0jy/antennas.html
About 15 feet floor to ceiling (beams) to answer WB2LLP's question.
Perhaps I'll put some more detail into a Journal article if anyone is interested?
73 and Happy New Year! Jerry N0JY
On 12/27/2010 8:59 PM, David Mennerich wrote:
I have HOA rules that prevent me from putting antennas on the roof where I live. However, I can put antennas in the attic. I have an Az/El setup that I could mount up in the attic, but wanted to get some feedback from folks on any experience they've had working the LEO satellites with antennas in the attic.
Thanks!
- Dave N2TEB
Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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participants (6)
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David Mennerich -
Jeff Moore -
Josh Smith -
Mark Lunday -
N0JY -
Rocky Jones