PENDING

QO-100 - Es'Hail 2 Geostationary Satellite

This project started in January 2021 when I constructed a QO-100 (OSCAR 100) / Es'Hail 2 satellite station. The aim was to enable me to work through the geostationary satellite. I have listed below some of the key components, transmission and reception chains.

Pre-2024 Receive Chain

The signal from the satellite's narrow band transponder is received on 10.489 GHz. This signal is mixed with the local oscillator (9.75 GHz) in the LNB, and the IF frequency is 739 MHz. The IF is forwarded through a pre-amp to boost the signal and then filtered to remove unwanted frequencies. The signal then goes to the SDR dongle where it is decoded and displayed. The Bias-T supplies power to the LNB while being transparent to RF.

Pre-2024 Transmit Chain

A Yaesu FT-817 transmits on 432 MHz with an output of 1 to 3W. The transverter converts the signal from 432 MHz to 2400 MHz at with an output power of 250mW. The signal is then amplified to 6W 12W and radiated towards the satellite by a POTY patch antenna, mounted facing the dish.

2024 Transmit Chain

The Yaesu FT-817 is still used to transmits on 432 MHz with an output of 5W. This goes into the Kuhne MKU UP 2424 B, Oscar Phase 4 Up-Converter. The transverter converts the signal from 432 MHz to 2400 MHz at with an output power of 20W.



GPSDO 10MHz Reference

The DXpatrol GPSDO uses a internal GPS reference original U-Blox 7N controlling a 10Mhz CTI - OCXO 0,05ppb * Square wave Oscillator.


The GPSDO is used to lock the Kuhne transverter and the LNB to provide frequency stability.

The Ice Cone Feed v2

To fire the signal onto the microwave dish I use an Ice Cone Feed V2 made by DC8PAT. The helical antenna is housed within a custom PETG 3D printed cone which withstands extreme temperatures and water egress.


These antenna have a whole in the base which takes the LNB and ensures both Rx and Tx can be made on a single dish.


Patric Nolle (DC8PAT) has kindly shared his 3D print design on hingiverse.com bit also sells complete units. Check his QRZ profile for full details.

System Coaxial Cables


Messi & Paoloni 'Ultraflex 13'

  • Impedence @200Mhz: 50 Ohm ± 3
  • Minimum bending radius: up to 15 bends: 127mm (5.0 in) single bend (choke): 80mm (3.1 in)
  • Temperature: -40°C to +60°C (-40°F to +140°F)
  • Capacitance: 75 pF/m ± 2 (22.9 pF/ft ± 2)
  • Velocity ratio: 86%
  • Screening Efficiency (SA) 100-2000 MHz >105 dB
  • Screening Class: A++
  • Inner conductor resistance: 2 Ohm/Km (0.6 Ohm/1000ft)
  • Outer conductor resistance: 11 Ohm/Km (3.0 Ohm/1000ft)
  • Tension test (spark test): 8 kV
  • Net weight (100m/100ft): 17,5 Kg (11.6 lb)
  • Maximum peak power: 20.000 WATT
  • Connectors: UHF (PL), N, 7/16
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