WXSat proof of concept

[Terryl]

I found that the dongles used don't care about the coax, as long as it doesn't have a ton of splices and other junk to degrade the signals it should not matter.

Are you using SDR # or SDR console to demodulate the signals??

 

[Archive-8]

The coax is a brand new run of sat coax about 8 meters long.

I have no idea what the pi is using. I have to reinstall it as I know I have some of the settings wrong.
I was holding off until my new aerial had arrived.

I have also ordered a new 1090 aerial. Don’t know if I will be able to get it on the same pole just a bit lower down.

 

[Analoguesat]

A beautiful day over most of Europe. Apart from in Scotland wheer its been dull most of the day - it was drizzling when I went to work this morning

Still lots of snow on the Alps!

 

[Analoguesat]

Ive also found some stiffer wire in the OH's allotment shed so I will be making a mk3 antenna to the same design as the previous one. (the south facing radials on the mk2b have been battered almost vertical by the strong winds the last few days!)

 

[Archive-8]

Just my luck the plug in the garage supplying the power to both my pi’s (adsb & wx) has stopped working.

The fuse is ok in the 4 gang. I know the socket is to blame as it doesn’t hold a plug in properly.

So I will phone an electrician and get it sorted as soon as.

 

[Analoguesat]

I can see Santa's workshop!

Noaa 19 1157utc

 

[Terryl]

Analoguesat, could you post the audio file for that scan (Noaa 19 1157utc) in my thread, I need to see if it's a transfer problem with Virtual Cable, SDR console or WxtoImg.

Getting a good image audio file may help me out with trying to find out why my scans are all scrambled up.

 

[Archive-8]

Sorted the socket out, and swapped the adsb antenna also.

Had to kick the pi to start grabbing.

 

[Archive-8]

Last one for tonight.

 

[Analoguesat]

1500utc and beautiful weather right across Europe. NOAA 19 northbound, almost overhead at 88E MEL

 

[Analoguesat]

Anyone want the weather at the North Pole?? Second image shows the short track opportunity on wxtrack.

NOAA 19 MEL 3W 0948utc

 

[Archive-8]

With a turnstile antenna do I align it north / south

Or

North east / South West?

 

[Analoguesat]

As its circular polarity I dont think it matters.

 

[Terryl]

Your right it should not matter, but the satellites do not cross directly overhead all the time, some pass to the left or right of center in a Northern or Southern path, so to help out with better signal strength I would align the antenna radials North East/ South West.

One question Chris1979, did they send any engineering data as to the receive foot print for that antenna??

 

[Archive-8]

Your right it should not matter, but the satellites do not cross directly overhead all the time, some pass to the left or right of center in a Northern or Southern path, so to help out with better signal strength I would align the antenna radials North East/ South West.

One question Chris1979, did they send any engineering data as to the receive foot print for that antenna??

It came with this:

 

[Terryl]

And my new MK-10 antenna works very well, it looks like two >< tied together, with reflectors >< at the bottom, just like the turnstile antenna Cris has but the radials are in a "V" formation and aligned North South, not aligned in an "+" like on the turnstile antenna.
Each side of the "V" is one 1/4 wave, so it would be a 1/2 wave center tapped on each, then fed into a standard TV 300 ohm to 75 ohm bauln and down 75 ohm coax.

The reflectors are located 1/4 wave down from the main radials, the main radials are mounted on a piece of 1/2 inch PVC water pipe.

 

[Terryl]

Ah bummer, I would have liked to see a polar view of the antennas radiation or receive pattern.

Would look like this.

https://geekabit.co.uk/2017/09/11/selecting-the-best-antenna/

 

[Archive-8]

Aligned north/south



Just moved around about 45° now waiting for the next pass.

Should be very soon.

 

[Archive-8]

After turning the aerial

 

[Terryl]

Looked a bit better this last time......I wonder what those interference lines are being caused by???? Terrain or RF?

Looks to be too evenly spaced to be terrain...Maybe a harmonic from something....Pager? Radar?