[amsat-bb] Re: OT - Weather satellite antennas

[Dave hartzell]

Ed,

The NOAA transmissions from K, L and M satellites are right-hand
circular polarized.  Transmission power is pretty high, I think 5
watts.

While you can probably get by with the Arrow, it isn't circularly
polarized, and is probably tuned for around 145 MHz (versus 137 MHz).
There are plans and kits available for very cheap helix antennas, the
simplest being made from PVC, wire and coax.  A google search for
'noaa apt antenna' turns up quite a few hits.  I'm using an M2 2-meter
Egg Beater without a pre-amp, and it works pretty well.

Here are some references you might find useful:

http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/html/c4/sec4-2.htm
ARRL Weather Satellite Handbook: http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?item=4483

73,

Dave
n0tgd

On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 9:19 AM, Ed Tump <ed at squaretfarm.com> wrote:
> Folks,
>
> Thanks for the response on power. Now I wonder if my Arrow satellite antenna
> will work for these weather satellites or my AL800 HT antenna.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Thanks.
>
> 73,
>
> Ed
>
> KC9GWK
> Grid EN52
>
> AmSat Member
>
>
>
>
>
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