[amsat-bb] Re: How to get started on SSB birds (antennas)

[PA3GUO]

> My preference is to build something 

Hi Jeremy !

Yesterday I finished constructing my new antenna for 70cm, a 16 elements DK7ZB. 
 
My Requirements: 
- Needs to work for EME at 432 MHz (15.5 dBd / 16 elements has been used 
successfully by others) 
- Needs to work for satellite communication (needs to elevate up to 90 degrees: 
can not be longer as 4 meter) 
- Avoid complex circular polarization this time (linear polarization had proven 
to work fine for Cubesats) 
 
Selected design: 
- 16 elements DK7ZB 
- 15.5 dBd 
- length 3.86 meter 
 
Results: 
- Fantastic ! 
- Compared to the 12 elements beam I can decode Cubesats (FO-69, O/OREOS) now 
much earlier 
- Decoding (not hearing!) FO-69 improved from 5..7 degrees elevation to 2..3 
degrees 
- Have not done any EME tests yet 
 
Here are the photo's: 
http://www.pa3guo.com/dk7zb_70cm.html 

Btw: not sure if building is actually cheaper as buying: this antenna costed me ~90$
(but it is more fun !)

--
Henk, PA3GUO