Ham Radio AO-51 Satellite, again
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- SO-50 is a current alternative to AO-51
ww2.amsat.org/?...
AO-51 Update
November 29, 2011
It is with a heavy heart I report that AO-51 has ceased transmission and is not responding to commands. The last telemetry data indicated that the third of six batteries was approaching failure to short, and observations indicate the voltage from three cells is insufficient to power the UHF transmitters. The IHU may continue to be operative. Initial tests with the S band transmitter were also not positive, although more attempts are in order. We have tried leaving the satellite in an expected state where if voltages climb high enough, the 435.150 transmitter may possibly be heard.
The command team will regularly attempt communications with the satellite over the coming months (and years). There is always the possibility that a cell will open and we could once again talk to our friend while illuminated. Thanks to all who helped fund, design, build, launch, command, and operate AO-51. It's 7 year mission has been extraordinary. Please support AMSAT's Fox-1 project, and other AMSAT projects worldwide with your time and money.
For the AO-51 Command Team,
73, Drew KO4MA
AMSAT-NA VP Operations
I try my luck at working AO-51.
Bracket video -
• Arrow Antenna Bracket
N1ASA tells us how to correctly do this!
hvsatcom.org/Sa...
I use Orbitron - Satellite Tracking software. It is free, you can download it from:
www.stoff.pl
A very good web based site for satellite prediction is:
www.heavens-abo...
Grid squares are used for location. My grid is CM99. You can learn more about this at;
www.arrl.org/lo...
Arrow Antennas-
www.arrowantenn...
Randy
This is the video that inspired me to finally get my license. Great to see all the activity on your channel, I really enjoy it.
Randy and all: This is a great series of videos, full of great information. After 35 years of ham radio, nobody ever showed me or even talked about "how-to" for satellite QSO's. I thought it was too difficult. Randy made it easy to understand and I'm having a blast. I got on the air and made several contacts this weekend on A0-51 and A0-27. Thanks Randy. You are a true "Elmer" to thousands of hams. Hope we can have a QSO someday. Craig WB0GFZ
Thanks for posting all of your vids Randy. This was a great intro for me to learn about ham radio in general. I remember the day I finally worked AO-51 and received a QSL card in the mail. There are so many facets to the hobby, the more I learn, the more I understand how much more learning I have to do... 73
Thanks Randy: I transcoded this to IPod and watched it with several friends yesterday. Needless to say, it was just the thing to pry me back to HamTestOnline and getting the Gen and Extra done! Thank you for your enthusiasm.
Eric -N9DXV
Randy, I've stated it in emails to you and I'll reiterate it here. Thank you for talking the time to voluntarilly make these videos. For those of use who are new to sats, you really make it a lot easier.
Thanks so much for this vid! I'm a new ham, and have just made my first AO-27 contacts with an FT-60 and RH77 antenna. This video helped me with the theory greatly. Thanks much for all your videos, they're very helpful!
Just passed my General and am holding my CSCE!!! Thanks for the vids, they were the catalyst pushing me over the edge. Rig shopping shortly, hope to catch you on the airwaves.
73
Jayson
Randy, Nice video. I finally am able to see how it's done. I have an 817 and a tripod. All I need to get is an Arrow antenna. Great job!73
Randy, I've been subscribing to your videos for a few months. Always so informative. I made one contact through AO-51 two summers ago with my Arrow Antenna and a Kenwood TH-D7. Didn't record it. Next time I will. Easy to see from your video how the tripod for the antenna makes things easier. 73, Ned N8OIF
Craig, thanks and glad to hear that you have be able to get on the satellite from watching the videos. My PSK31 series is also very popular.
Randy
Great Video... Good job on the pass and setup.
Great Video series also
73's
Mike
York, PA
Thanks for the note. Yes, there are may aspects to the hobby. Lots of new things to try and learn.
Correct, duplex operation of the radio is not required. But, some guys operated with full duplex to hear themselves coming back. If the radio has duplex, you can probably disable that feature. You will need the duplexer in the antenna to work both bands from one coax. Randy
Nice work! I've heard of people cracking Ham Sats on handhelds, but I thought it was a myth!
I am impressed with what you have done, very nice!
73 from Jamie, VK2TIM in Sydney Australia.
Randy,
Great Video! Very Informative from Start to Finish. AO-51 is always so crowded on those Western Passes so getting two contacts is excellent. Been on the birds about three years myself and they are challenging,ESPECIALLY hearing them! 73,Andy K8AND
Hi Randy. Good job showing how easy LEO satellites can be using only an HT and an inexpensive antenna. I've made a couple of contacts using my Yaesu FT-60 and an Elk 2M/440 L5 (5 element 2 meter/ 440 mHz Log Periodic). You've got a nice setup with the tripod and the boom extension.
Keep the good videos coming!
73 de KI6BEO
We are using radio repeater in the satellite to extend the range of our handheld radios. Using the satellite, we can work stations up to 2,500 miles away.
Hi,
Thank you very much for your video, It has inspired me to give the satellites a go again.
20 years ago I worked RS10/11 many times and had a heap of fun. Up on 2M down on 10M. Running 10watts SSB on 2m and using a 2 element X Yargi, and a Delta loop on 10m for the down link, all home brewed. I remember also working a mobile station as well.
Thanks heaps. You are an inspiration to hams world wide.
73 de Alan
ZL4FM
Looking forward to trying this out in 2020!!! Cheers!
Thanks for the video Randy, it's fantastic!
Greetings from Spain
Huberto
Hi randy, nice to see your video. At least this explains how to make QSO's on this bird just with a handy and the explanation of each detail. Wonderful great job.
73's de 5B4AAI (Nicholas)
Just tried working AO-51 myself this past weekend and I look forward to trying again when the weather gets a bit better. My radio is water proof, but I doubt the arrow antenna can handle the rain.
Hi, almost all dual band radios will work. Some allow you to listed on one band while transmitting on the other band. This would allow you to hear the satellite while transmitting. If you operate this way you may need a headset so that you do get feedbacks. I usually have the duplex mode shut off. Randy
Great video. Thanks for sharing. Pretty impressive actually
73's
Great result Randy, nice and simple set up working great its good to see what can be done without too much expense. 73 Simon
Wow! Been thinking of getting the Tech lic, now I want it!
thanks for the demo, looking forward to more.
Very good video and presentation. Interesting part of the ham hobby.
Thanks Randy, that worked. Getting my tech license Sep15 and will be picking up a TH-F6 HT in about 3 weeks.
Motorized V/UHF antennas will help, usually with longer antennas. KU feed is on the wrong frequency. AO-51 usually does not lend itself to long conversations, since it is shared be everyone within the coverage of the satellite. Randy
HI again Randy.
I should have wrote that I track the AO-51 and the ISS and I only try (for now) contacts when the satellites are pretty much directly above me. I did order an arrow beam though.
Thanks again!!
Hey Randy , I know Richard N1ASA, work him all the time . He is a great operator and works about 10 guys each pass . He is also a professor of astronomy.I am thinking of going the arrow w/ the handheld route also so I can work the birds from my tree house.
73's om
de AL
Nice video. Interesting that this is possible with such a small setup
Hi Randy - apparently AO51 had a very close shave with Formosat 3D on 1st March... thankfully it didn't impact and survived! Would be a shame to lose such a fun satellite through a collision. 73 - Rob VK2GOM / G0MOH
Hi Randy:
Great fun! sweet video! Lotsa fun!
I used to chase AmSats with a hand held yagi in my backyard in Michigan.... great fun!
73
ab8b
Great video. I have been trying to work so-50 with my baofeng’s and my th-d74. I am struggling . I got the arrow II and that made a huge difference. But trying to do so many things at once is Challenge. also that low angle and the results you got was amazing . I seem to need 60 degrees max elev to get that clarity here in Florida . Maybe I should pick a different sat. Thank you 🙏
Satellite is overhead for 10-15 minutes, but it is pretty busy. QSOs are short. Randy
Try and listen with the eggbeater. Its pattern may be fairly low to the horizon. Listen and see what happens. Select the PASSES tab on the AMSAT home page, there is a pass Prediction calculator. You need to enter your location. Yes, I was running 5 watts, no PL. Randy
After years of watching several videos on youtube and reading up on working sats I finally worked AO-51 yeaterday at 23:30 UTC with a FT 817 and a rubber duck antenna. Worked K8YSE in Ohio with 2.5 watts on battery power. Maybe I'll order the arrow when money permits.
73 and thanks for all your fine work
W6CSA
EM50
Nicely done video. It is a good primer for those who have no one around to elmer them with the LEO satellites. One thing I might add to novice satellite operators -- you need to do a lot of listening. Write down or record the calls coming throughout the pass. Select a good sounding station, then give them a call when the opportunity arises. Don't sit there and throw your call out endlessly. Chances are, no one can hear you and you are interfering with people who are into it clearly.
Great video! Thanks for the post 73
congrats randy. Great Video. -Curtis
the orbitron page also has an excellent colored contour map; helps a bit to see topography.
Congratulations randy!
Awesome video (!)
HI, Yes the antenna is 144/440 dual band with a duplexer with one feed line to the radio. Randy
Hi, What are the satellite uplink and downlink frequencies?
Randy thanks for the great video
Nice video. I managed to get into AO-51 with the two-meter vertical on the roof, but not too well. I need to get an Arrow. Your videos gave me the idea of making a video on how to receive images from the NOAA satellites.
On the right side of the screen you will see a LOAD TLE button. Select the Amateur file and you should then be able to select AO-51. Randy
@popmomcorn It is really amazing that gear that you can hold in your hand can work through a satellite. Good luck on your test.
Very interesting.
Congratulations Randy
@K7AGE LOL!!!!!!! "No Cellphone Shack" You got THAT right!! No longer a parts supplier, but a toystore.
Love your videos BTW
73
Probably not, since BNC connectors are used. This antenna is mainly for portable operation, as it disassembles easily. For a permanent installation you would be better off with another antenna. Randy
The radios that I was using probably only has a few miles of range taking to someone direct. We are using the satellite to repeat our signals to talk to someone 100s or 1000s of miles away. Since the satellite can hear many many stations, the contacts are very short to try and allow many people to share the resource.
Randy
I haven't bought a new dual band HT in many years. If possible get to a store to see the radios. Eham reviews may help you narrow the selection. For the satellites you need a dual band. Some radios allow you to transmit on one band while receiving on the second band. This may help for satellites. Or, it can confuse you hearing yourself coming back. Randy
hi randy great video, has inspired me to experiment with sat communications great fun.
Thanks all the best from Gibraltar.
73
Excellent 💪
The satellite is an active repeater. You should be able to hear the satellite with your scanner. Give it a try with the normal antenna, you may be able to hear the satellite when it is overhead. Randy
Incredible. Thats why hight.. or officially 'distance away from the earth' itself is such an incredible thing with radio waves to just in reality travel on forever, cheers and thanx!
Good Videos Man!!! Your videos and some others is what inspired me to get my Call.....
Thanks and 73s
"Spedz"
Hi Randy.
I watched some videos from you on yuotube and wanna say - you're good teacher for all of us :)
Good work on HT with AO-51. We use it also from RK3DXB Club, and it's much noise when sattelite come through the Russian territory, that's thrue.
Thanks again for video.
73! De Tony.
Great! Nice setup. Good video.
73 Randy, thx for the vid!
"Turning it changes the polarization... Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't." That's sums up a LOT about fiddling with antennas. :D You just gotta keep fiddling with them until you find something that works.
Great video Randy. I was considering buying an Arrow Antenna when I found your video. You just sold another one for them. Thanks.
73 de KD0ASQ (Jim)
Randy, I enjoy all your videos. Thanks for the email help on getting my youtube videos loaded as well. Ham it up! George, N0JRJ
Hi Randy, like your video.
Seems easy to work satellites like that. I must try it also. 73's from Belgium.
Eric -- ON4HF
I enjoyed this. I'd like more "instruction" about the how to do it portion. I see what you've done, I need measurements and tools and wires instruction. For example, I didn't hear what band or what kind of HT, etc....supposing your working low watts into 440-2m dual bander but uncertain as to how to set it all up. Is there another video you've done all this with? Tnx, 73, Donn, KA0SOH
Great video. Brings back memories of the days operationg AO-10, AO-13 and AO-40.
I did not catth your acknowlegdment of your first contact's callsign of WA7ETH. You did acknowledge his grid but never transmitted his call back for confirmation.
You copied VE7CRE's call incorrectly as VE7CRT, but did get his grid CN89 correct. VE7CRE is indeed in CN89 and VE7CRT is in FN86.
Randy -
Wow! That was very cool. Thanks!
73
de
KF7ETX
David
I'm not sure VO-52 is possible with the small antenna. I have never tried VO-52. I really don't know anything about it. Something else to research. Randy
You will need a dual band as you need 146 & 435 at the same time. Some of the HTs allow you to receive on one band while transmitting on the other band. This can help or confuse you with hearing your signal while talking. But you can probably set the radio not to do that. Randy
Great video learned something new from your video, I will try that sat track program qso from VA3FNI Canada
I am assuming right after your callsign you are giving your grid location right? I am just starting to get into satellite work and hope to be on the air soon. I am already successfully hitting the ISS with APRS data from an omni directional antenna on 20 watts.
Very nice video!
@mondays89 Yup, around 17,000 MPH. We use Grid Squares as locations. Guys collect Grid Squares to be used towards awards.
@K7AGE Thank you Randy. Can a scanner antenna work for a ham radio?
Jim, it is a good antenna. Get the split boom and roll up case. I also have a couple of their J Pole antennas too. All great products. Maybe I'll hear you on the bird soon! Randy
nice work .. im planing EME communication and need to set up the rig
de 9k2mb
@K7AGE Thanks for the video..im not yet into satellite tracking but im very interested. By the way..did they use any ctss to access the frequencies? 73 d e VK2JMV/ DV1MV
Patrick, Arrow Antennas, I added their web link in the show notes. Randy
Looking at the status on the AMSAT page, there are a couple reports of hearing AO-51. But, it does not look like it is operational at all. The reports may have been errors. I think it is dead, unless what you are reading is based on better status.
Great vid! Thank you
I just wanted to leave a note remarking on one of the links. The orbitron software page is currently down. Otherwise, very informative video
This is soo cool! Question though is the signal bouncing off the satellite? Or is it being recived and then transmitted by it? If soo its just there for anyone to use. On more thing I dont have a ham yet but I have a scanner that picks up 10,6,2 meter and 70cm HAM, if I made a dicone for it and aimed it at the sky I should be able to hear stuff right?
Yes I have. It has been many years. I haven't tried in a long time to try and catch them.
@K7AGE Pretty nice :) So, with this, everyone can talk to other, of i understand right? And it works with all satellites? Thank you
that was awesome! thank you for sharing
Randy,
do you have any photos of how you attached the antenna to the tripod? I admire your idea of attaching the ht to the end there
Thanks, Randy
Yes, the satellite is a cross band repeater.
@mikilofo90 Yes. Some of the other satellites would require other types of radios and antennas.
Very Nice!!! I have played with the ISS sending packet through and have heard the astronauts talking to schools, but that was about it. See the video sure peaked my interest again.
73, Jason KB2SDR DN95
Excellent video, thanks for posting.
Stephan
VK3GTR
Excellent Video!
-Darren Johnson
W5DTJ
Yes, a satellite that is higher sees more of the earth, which would allow longer communications. Randy
Danke, Randy
Do you have the amateur groups of satellites selected, are you seeing other amateur satellites? Randy
Yes, there have some news in some of the magazines. Randy
Great video!
Probably best to go to the manufacturer's web site and download the brochure and manual. Give it all a read. Also there is a yahoo group for just about every radio. Lots of help in those groups. Randy
Nice Videos Randy, by the way have you tried ISS? Im using the same tracking software with updated TLE. I wanted to work with AO-51 but i dont have an arrow antenna like yours with Duplexer.I keep monitoring ISS FM Voice Frequencies including packet.Anyways good luck best 73s and Mabuhay!DW9HGF