{"id":2675,"date":"2022-12-02T18:24:25","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T16:24:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/racov.ro\/?p=2675"},"modified":"2022-12-02T18:24:25","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T16:24:25","slug":"funcube-1-ao73-satellite-telemetry-download-and-decode","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racov.ro\/index.php\/2022\/12\/02\/funcube-1-ao73-satellite-telemetry-download-and-decode\/","title":{"rendered":"FUNcube-1 (AO73) Satellite Telemetry Download and Decode"},"content":{"rendered":"

9 years ago, on November 21st<\/sup> 2013, FUNcube-1 (AO-73) was launched from the Yasny launch base located in the Orenburg Region, Russia on a Dnepr Launch Vehicle into a 600 km, 97.8\u00ba inclination sun-synchronous orbit.
\nAO-73 carries a UHF to VHF linear transponder that has 300 mW PEP output and which can be used by Radio Amateurs worldwide for SSB and CW communications, and a VHF telemetry beacon.
\nMeasuring just 10 x 10 x 10 cm, and with a mass of less than 1 kg, it is the smallest ever satellite to carry a linear transponder.
\n
\nYou can find a fabulous and interesting article here<\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Communication subsystem:<\/strong>
\n\u2022 145.935 MHz BPSK Telemetry 30\/300 mW
\n\u2022 Inverting SSB\/CW transponder 300 mW
\n\u2013 435.150 \u2013 435.130 MHz Uplink
\n\u2013 145.950 \u2013 145.970 MHz Downlink<\/p>\n

The pass-band may be up to 15 kHz higher depending on on-board temperatures. Low temperatures give higher frequencies. The transponder is usually only active during night passes<\/strong>\u00a0and at\u00a0weekends<\/strong>. During holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Easter, the transponder maybe activated for extended periods.<\/p>\n

What do you need to receive the 145.935 MHz Telemetry? Not much.<\/span>
\n1. A USB SDR (Receiver), like this one<\/a><\/span><\/span>.
\n
\n2. A VHF antenna, preferably for satellites, like a QHA<\/a><\/span>, or a 3 element Yagi<\/a><\/span>.
\n3. The decoding software, from here<\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

If you are already familiar with SDR software and satellite tracking software, like Orbitron, we’ll move on to receiving this particular signal.
\nThis is my experience:
\n– Set the modulation to USB;
\n– Bandwidth 2200Hz;
\n– I disabled the automatic Doppler tracking, and adjusted the frequency manually, eyeballing. Looks like the frequency was not spot on.<\/p>\n

If you want to upload the data to AMSAT, you need to register here<\/a><\/span><\/span>.
\nThis will put your name on the hall of fame, at AMSAT-UK warehouse<\/a><\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Watch the video to get practical.
\n