SARC Satellite Station

The Surrey Amateur Radio Communications Society (SARC) has established a fully operational satellite communications station, expanding our club’s capabilities into space-based amateur radio, which could be critical in emergencies. Led by Dino Gueorguiev VE7NX and John Brodie VA7XB, and supported by the SARC Projects Group, this station provides a robust platform for making reliable satellite contacts and mentoring members in advanced satellite radio operating techniques.

Project Overview

While individual members have previously operated satellites from home or portable setups, the new station represents a significant upgrade in capability, providing the club with a dedicated, permanent installation designed for optimal performance.

At the heart of the station is our Icom IC-9700 transceiver, enhanced with a frequency stabilization module to ensure accuracy during satellite passes. A thorough review of station requirements was conducted, and equipment was selected to balance performance, cost, and future scalability.

Technical Approach

Our design emphasizes performance and efficiency. Rather than using cross-polarized Yagis, we employ high-gain linear-polarized antennas. The theoretical 3 dB loss from polarization mismatch is easily mitigated by the IC-9700’s built-in preamp, avoiding the additional complexity and cost of polarization switching systems. This pragmatic approach delivers excellent results for our operational needs.

The station’s tracking and frequency control is fully automated. SatPC32 software manages real-time antenna positioning via the FoxDelta tracker, providing 450° azimuth and 180° elevation movement, while simultaneously adjusting transmit and receive frequencies to compensate for Doppler shift.

Operational Success

The station was brought online within six weeks from project inception to first contact. Following system integration and testing, the team established successful communications through a variety of satellites, including the TEVEL CubeSats, linear transponder satellites, and the International Space Station (ISS).

The TEVEL mission, a series of educational CubeSats developed by the Herzliya Science Center in Israel, provides FM amateur radio transponders and represents an exciting contact opportunity. Our station's performance on these passes confirmed the effectiveness of our system design and operational procedures.

Looking Ahead

SARC’s satellite station enhances our club’s technical profile and offers members a hands-on opportunity to engage with advanced communication modes. With a solid foundation now in place, future upgrades will be considered as needs evolve and interest grows.  The satellite station will play an integral role in upcoming club activities, including Field Day operations, public demonstrations, and ongoing member training.

We invite all SARC members (and non-members) to participate in this exciting facet of amateur radio, leveraging our expertise, infrastructure, and collaborative spirit.  Contact projects@ve7sar.net if you'd like to schedule a session with one of our satellite operators.