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 Amateur Radio Satellite Operation

 

  PIC 16F688 Satellite Tracking Interface
 
Available Kits:
Advanced Satellite Tracking Interface: ST2-0417 USB
Advanced Satellite Tracking Interface: ST2-RS232
 
 A Simple RS232/USB Satellite Tracking Interface
 
Reviews:
W5RKN
VE2DX

Magazine Articles on this project:
Radio Magazine  

Nicolas Cassimis / KD2IR-SV0CY
Editor
HELLENIC RADIO MAGAZINE
has covered this project in Radio Communiacation magazine #77 published in Greek. This will help many Radio Amateurs & Home brewers in Greece.

A PDF of article page is here.....


FD-ST1

NOW USB & RS232 are Standard. Both Included.

The ST1 kit/project was designed as an affordable alternative for radio amateurs and schools, to generate interest in satellite communications, and bring space technology into the classroom.

It provides hardware & firmware to interface satellite tracking software with Yaesu rotators, for automatic antenna azimuth and elevation control.

This kit/project greatly simplifies ham radio contact with astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS), through a program called Amateur Radio in the International Space Station (ARISS). (Detailed ARISS contact and other relevant information about ARISS can be found at: http://www.arrl.org/ARISS/ )

Satellite communication is generally viewed as an expensive endeavor by most hams. Those who buy expensive equipment to show-off their capability further dilute the charm of satellite operation. With some home brewing efforts, excellent results can be achieved at very low cost.

Project Bases:  

Project PCB was designed on a PTH PCB measuring 6 x 10cm. Interface supports both, G5400 & G5500 rotators. PIC firmware is provided by Mark Spencer/WA8SME. 

The Satellite Antenna Tracking Interface is targeted to interface Yaesu rotators to your PC running either a NOVA for Windows or SatPC software.

Present ST1 Full kits are supplied with FTDI-232 pre-soldered on PCB and a metal case 


Picture of the Completed ST1:

Click to enlarge

Schematics, Details & Parts List:
 
ST1 Tech Info Doc. Tech Info Doc for ST1
 
ST1 Schematic & Parts List Schematic of ST1: Satellite Tracking Interface
ST1 Schematic - JPG JPG
ST1 USB/COM KIT Parts LIST

Schematic of ST1: Satellite Tracking Interface

ST1 to Yaesu Controller Cable Making Guide

Schematic of ST1: Satellite Tracking Interface

 
Setup Guideline for SatPC & Nova for Windows

setup for Nova & SatPC

Setup Guide For F6DQM Sat_Expolrer by F1RHX

 
 USB Drivers for FT232R Chip

 
 Rotator Manuals
  
Yaesu G5500 Manual

Yaesu Rotators

G5500 Front & Back View
G5500 Inter-connection diagram
 
Yaesu G5400-G5600 Manual

Yaesu Rotators

  
 Download
 
PIC16F688 Firmware

Free PC Program by F6DQM
 

Click above image to visit F6DQM Web Page

 Controlling Software for your PC
  
Nova for Windows

Nova for Windows

 
SatPC

SatPC

 
AMSAT Satellite Software

AMSAT

Sat_Explorer by F6DQM

 
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