W6YRA Boelter

ELFIN is working closely with UCLA’s FCC licensed Amateur Radio Club, W6YRA, to develop a satellite tracking station. The station has two cross-polarized 10′ yagis―one UHF, one VHF―controlled through a computer by Gpredict and soundmodem. Gpredict interfaces with the Sat688 board developed by Mark Spencer (WA8SME). The station currently uses a Yaesu FT-897 radio and Yaesu G-5500 rotors.

The station is currently under development. Since 17 July 2013, it has been able to track and receive signals from satellites on the UHF and VHF amateur bands.

To view a list of tracked satellites or to request this station listen to a pass, see DETAILS below. 

Overview

ELFIN is building a basic OSCAR station in partnership with W6YRA with UHF and VHF capabilities. This station relies on a single VHF and single UHF yagi. The station is currently operational and tracking satellites, but also awaiting a few improvements.

We are currently looking for missions to track and assist to prove the station and build up our knowledge
 

Details

TBD

Circular

TBD

TBD

TBD

Yaesu G5500

200 kg

137 kg m / 59 kg m

392 kg m

LMR-400

5.0

8.9

20m

CF-4160

0.15/60dB / 0.25/60dB

Antennas

The satellite tracking station uses one 10′ cross-polarized VHF yagi, and one 6′ cross-polarized UHF yagi. They are mounted on an aluminium crossbeam, and spun by a Yaesu G5500 rotor. Boh antennas are mounted so no element is parallel with either the crossbeam or the mast. The entire assembly is held on a non-penetrating roof mount and secured by cinder blocks. TBD preamps may be inserted in the future.

Roter Controller System

Our current system uses WA8SME’s Sat688 control board to accept EASYCOMM-1 from the computer, and command the Yaesu G5500 rotor controller to the correct position. This system works, but has a few disadvantages that we hope to correct by changing to an Arduino-based rotor control system.

By changing systems, we hope to gain:

• Variable speed control
• Simultaneous Azimuth and Elevation control
• Absolute pointing relative to the earth

Our new system will be based on K3NG’s existing design, and similar to the one to be implemented on the Knudsen Earth Station as well. However, W6YRA’s rotor controller will only use one LSM303 (triple axis accelerometer and magnetometer), and will therefore only have one remote Olimexino connected over network to a master Arduino Mega.

Weatherization

While weather in Los Angeles is rarely an issue, we still wanted to protect both rotors from rain and direct sun. The elevation rotor is currently protected by an overturned bucket, while the azimuth rotor is underneath a traffic cone. We also make use of self-sealing weather tapes on coax connections. Additionally, all coax and control cables run through a drip loop before entering the room. 

Tracking

Our tracking record is a bit out of date, we’ve since been able to demodulate 9600baud and have been tracking several satellites recently. Hopefully this will be updated soon.

Satellite Tracking

Audibly heard KKS-1, CO-57, CO-65, CO-66, ISS, VO-52, FO-29, and KySat-2
Demodulated 1200 baud packet from ISS
Demodulated 9600 baud packet from CSSWE, Vermont Lunar*, IPEX*, CubeBug-2*
*Awaiting confirmation

We are actively looking for other 9600 baud and 19200 baud satellites to track. If you have suggestions, please let us know.

Balloon Tracking

Arko Robotics’ CUBEX Balloon Payload
Contributed balloon tracking data using RTTY 300 baud on 434.460
Tracked druing the flight on 2014-MAY-24
Telemetry was captured with minimal interruptions from just after launch east of Pasadena to estimated splashdown in the Pacific Ocean

Arko Robotics’ HABEXPico2 Balloon Payload
Contributed balloon tracking data using RTTY 50 baud on 434.500
Tracked from 1058-1211 PST 2013-NOV-27
Burst is estimated at 1211 with probable computer failure due to loss of sensor immediately after

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