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How to Use Amateur Satellites

Amateur satellites differ widely in difficulty of access for the average ham. The typical satellite requires a specialized amateur radio station and an experienced operator. Fortunately for the neophyte "ham," there are also satellites that are accessible via equipment the typical amateur already owns. These satellites are commonly known as "easy sats" because they are easy to access. Probably the simplest amateur satellite to use is AO-27, which uses a 2-meter uplink (frequency the user transmits on) and 70cm downlink (frequency on which the user receives). It is possible to use AO-27 with as little as five watts output power.

Things You'll Need

Dual band (2 Meter and 70cm) FM transceiver
Omnidirectional antenna
Radio owner's manual
Maidenhead grid square map
Amateur radio station log

Instructions

- 1
  Program the following frequencies into memory channels of your transceiver in FM mode. All frequencies are in megahertz.
  
  Channel 1: transmit 145.840, receive 436.805.
  
  Channel 2: transmit 145.845, receive 436.800
  
  Channel 3: transmit 145.840, receive 436.795
  
  Channel 4: transmit 145.855, receive 436.790
  
  Channel 5: transmit 145.860, receive 436.785
- 2
  Take the radio outdoors to a clear area, free of nearby trees or buildings. Set the radio on memory channel 1 and listen for other hams using the satellite.
- 3
  Transmit your amateur radio call sign and your location. When another ham acknowledges you, log the contact in your station log.
- 4
  Switch to the next memory channel when the signal gets too weak, and continue operating.

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