Posts by VE4SW

  • VO100QO succeeded

    VO100QO succeeded!


    After trying for almost a full week, we finally succeeded in connecting with folks on QO-100 from Newfoundland via SSB. In the early afternoon local time, conditions improved, and we were able to align the big dish to the satellite signals, especially the pileup around FT8. Thanks to David G0MRF and Graham G3VZV, who made lots of FT8 contacts.


    Once the dish was aligned, the first step was to see if we could reach QO-100. After changing from a 20 W amp to a 100 W amp (60-80W out), our signal was visible and identifiable on QO-100. The first two contacts were made via WebSDR before switching over to SDR Console and direct reception! The following pileup was huge, and the constant fading did not help. Nevertheless, John VE1CWJ, using the special callsign of V0100QO, was able to register 25 QSOs before conditions rapidly deteriorated.

  • QO-100 Update

    QO-1OO update:





    Congratulations to Gopan V01/M0XUU for the 1st ever contact from Newfoundland, Canada on QO-100 in FT8.



    Yes, it is possible and will open up tremendous DX opportunities for folks in NA to get on QO-100 from Canada!

  • VO100QO

    VO100QO,




    a special callsign for the activation of QO-100 from St John's in Newfoundland will be used by the "Amateur Radio Satellites and Systems – Canada” Association" starting Monday, May 13, at Signal Hill or another suitable location (weather permitting). Canadian amateur radio operators Stefan Wagener VE4SW and John Langille VE1CWJ will use a 1.8m dish and up to 100W on SSB to reach QO-100 at -1 degree elevation.



    We invite all stations and operators in or near St John’s to join us in person and be part of the story. We will operate from Monday, May 13th to Friday, May 17th (weather permitting). Contact VE4SW (email on my QRZ page) for local information and timing.

    The “Amateur Radio Satellites and Systems—Canada” Association will issue special certificates for successful contacts, and all QSOs will be logged into LoTW. Please see our “VO100QO” QRZ page for updates starting Sunday, May 12.




    We would very much like to acknowledge the support of “DX Patrol” in Portugal (https://dxpatrol.pt) and António Matias for his support. We will use the DX Patrol QO-100 Groundstation V2 and other equipment for our attempt!



    Hope to work you on QO-100 next week,



    73 Stefan VE4SW

  • IO-117 GreenCube to cease operating on February 5

    Quote
    AMSAT Italia would like to inform the amateur community that its request to the Italian Space Agency, the owner of the GREENCUBE satellite, to reconsider its decision of decommissioning the satellite is under evaluation.
    Waiting for its decision, IO-117 is still operational.
    The GreenCube satellite was born as a scientific experiment placed in MEO orbit which successfully concluded its mission.
    IO-117 is the HAM Radio part of the satellite consisting of a digipeter which was promoted by AMSAT Italia and coordinated by IARU-R1.
    At the moment AMSAT Italia is committed to promoting the continuation of the mission for the HAM Radio part of Greencube.
    AMSAT Italia BoD

  • IO-117 GreenCube to cease operating on February 5

    The “Amateur Radio Satellites and Systems – Canada” Association has contacted AMSAT-IT and offered our assistance in helping them take over operational control of IO-117 from S5Lab to allow the digipeater to stay operational. We see this as a viable option in line with the IARU frequency coordination based on the secondary amateur radio payload (digipeater) of IO-117. Now, we don’t know at this point the conditions and operational requirements assigned by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and ESA (European Space Agency) for this satellite, which are also partners in this project. We expect that AMSAT-IT will inform the community of possible next steps and options if available in due time. Until then, we encourage everyone to give these organizations the time and opportunity to look into viable options. We will keep you posted.

  • European Space Agency GEO Satellite Opportunity

    Hallo Thomas,


    Yes, that is a very important aspect. What QO-100 also showed was the ability of the community to quickly adapt and offer products and tools to everyone. So many small businesses are now offering antennas, amplifiers, up/down converters, DATV tools etc. It has been fascinating following these developments. In addition, we are seeing more and more SDR-based radios being developed for experimenters, hobbyists, and amateur radio users. Just looking at the AntSDR E200 on CrowdSupply as an example.

  • European Space Agency GEO Satellite Opportunity

    Thanks, Thomas.

    It is time to move higher up in frequencies. The pressure on amateur radio allocations is significant, even if they are only secondary. If we don't use them, we lose them. In addition, we need to start doing what we have done the best (in the past), being innovative and approaching new frontiers. That's the reason why the new "Amateur Radio Satellite and Systems - Canada" Association will support 13cm and up.

  • Which TCXO LNB?

    Well, what would you like to do? I use the bullseye for stability and easiness to mount a helical TX antenna on it. Simple setup and works.