Fixed antennas at a SatNOGS station

SatNOGS Hardware
1

I use a DIY Turnstile antenna on my #3538 station, but I have tested other antennas (QFH and EggBeater) and the results are not good in all configurations.

I have some FM towers (88-108MHz) that are hell for my RTL-SDR V3 that is on my station.

(Unfortunately I don’t have easy access to commercial antennas, good filters/amplifiers and quality SDR dongles because I live in Brazil and this market is dead here)

I can only find things available on AliExpress:

  • SPF5189 amplifier and the others available on AliExpress that certainly make the situation worse for FM towers.
  • RTL-SDR V3 that is not the best SDR ever.

Maybe a directional antenna would improve something on the station. I’m thinking of something not very directional and maybe circularly polarized.

(Linear polarization is interesting, but satellites change position all the time)

Has anyone had success with a fixed directional antenna on a SatNOGS station?

2

Have a look at this link, both station 431 and 2173 use such a directional antenna.

One is linear build and the other circular (RHCP), also have a look at the station description for more details.

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3

In any case, these FM notch work pretty well

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4

I’m checking your observations and I see you have a clean reception. I just recommend you a good RX preamp (not his chinese ones). In my station I’m using a EA4BFK preamp with an eggbeater antenna with good results. This preamp includes a narrow bandpass filter to avoid FM towers interferences.

73 de EA5WA Juan Carlos

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5

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions

I reassembled my QFH and assembled one Linear Yagi OWA 4el and I intend to test it over the next few days

I am currently testing the QFH again

(I tested the directional antenna during THIS ISS pass and I got good result. The antenna was pointing to the zenith)

@ea5wa thanks for the LNA suggestion (I think my solution will be to assemble a DIY LNA)

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6

I’m using a 5 el Yagi fixed position at Zenit with good results for UHF. No LNA.
https://www.larsthunberg.se/2023/08/03/diy-5-element-uhf-yagi-of-dk7zb-model/

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7

I have a VHF and UHF Eggbeater combo Satpack combo from M2 antennas. Pricey, but I tried many things before splurging on them, and it has added almost 20% more captures to my Station. I am using an Airspy SDR, so that is a difference in receiver that may also affect things. Good luck.