Planned C-band receiver station for the UNITEC-1 interplanetary spacecraft.
The KU LNC 5659 C PRO low noise downconverter (LNC) from Kuhne Electronic. It converts 5.6...5.9 GHz to 400...700 MHz. Noise figure 1 dB, Gain 40 dB.
Close-up the KU LNC 5659 C PRO low noise downconverter (LNC) from Kuhne Electronic.
The KU BT 271 N Bias-T from Kuhne Electronic.
The MSTTR001 Bias-T from Snec.
The simple CW receiver (V0.1) implemented in GNU Radio Companion listening on 70cm using the WBX daughterboard.
GRC flow graph of the simple CW receiver V0.3 - implemented in GNU Radio Companion - now with functional frequency translating filter to allow quick tuning within the received spectrum.
Screenshot of the simple CW receiver V0.3 - implemented in GNU Radio Companion - now with functional frequency translating filter to allow quick tuning within the received spectrum.
CW Receiver running on the small Dell D420 laptop. It makes the computer work but plenty of spare CPU cycles.
Version 0.4 of the receiver is now Single Side Band! You can find a video demo of the receiver in action on 7 MHz here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3VgsKdnUE
Simplified diagram of the simple SSB receiver V0.4 -- You can find a video demo of the receiver in action on 7 MHz here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3VgsKdnUE
Screen shot of the SSB receiver V0.4 implemented in GNU Radio Companion receiving the 7 MHz band using the USRP and LFRX. You can find a video demo here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3VgsKdnUE
How the AGC decay rate influences the shape of the signal. Attack rate: 100m. Decay rate from top: 100u, 150u, 500u and 1m.
The AGC of the IC765 is still much better!
Functional diagram of the WBX (receiver part). This receiver will be used for the UNITEC-1 C-band (5.8 GHz) ground station.
The USRP with the WBX and TVRX daughterboards.
Front view of the USRP with WBX and TVRX daughterboards.
The UNITEC-1 trajectory estimation tool.
Wide band microwave feed.
The 7m dish at AMSAT OZ headquarters.
The 90cm dish we want to use to track UNITEC-1 in the beginning. The Az rotator was broken and had to be repaired few hours before the first launch window.
Repairs took a little longer than expected...
Then they took even longer to complete...
The new helical feed for 5.84 GHz to be mounted on the 90cm dish.
OZ2ABA mounting the new 5.84 GHz helical feed on the 90cm dish. Big 7m dish and the Moon in the background.
The 5.84 GHz helical feed and Kuhne downconverter mounted on the 90cm dish.
Testing the 90cm dish, 5.84 GHz helical feed and Kuhne LNC using GNU Radio and USRP. OZ7IGY beacon 40 km away comes in 5 dB over noise.
Successful H-2A F17 launch bringing UNITEC-1 into orbit on 20 May 2010 21:58 UTC.
Bent OZ6BL working hard trying to make live webstream work just before the first communication window.
Scott OZ2ABA getting ready to mount the Kuhne KU LNC 5659 C PRO downconverter on the 7 meter dish.
The wide band feed horn and a 70cm cross-yagi mounted on the 7 meter dish at OZ7SAT
Scott OZ2ABA connecting the LNC to the feed horn.
Antenna ready for 5.6-5.9 GHz!
OZ7IGY beacon 40km away comes in very strong on 5.7 GHz using the 7 meter dish, KU LNC 5659 C PRO downconverter, USRP, WBX and GNU Radio software defined radio receiver.
Control panel of the 7 meter dish with nice touchscreen interface.
