In the first period of my test with QO-100 Satellite, I tried to receive it with a 80 cm dish using a PLL LNB. To “discipline” and get a stable signal I used the SDR Console software option for this satellite. It works very fine and I didn’t need any other correction to get good and stable signals, also for SSTV. After purchasing the converter from DX Patrol I begun to test transmission, first with an homemade 20 turns helix, then with a D-Link 14db panel.

I was only capable to do CW QSO, my signal was very weak also with 8 Watt amplifier. So I decided to use the 80 cm dish to transmit and try something new with an existing dish on the roof: it was the 100 cm condo dish for satellite digital channels.

I didn’t know what the distance of the second LNB should be, after some internet research I prepared an aluminum corner bracket with a long slot that allowed me a wide range of movement.

The aluminium bracket with the two LNBs

The front of the 100cm dish

Once the bracket was installed I turned on my receiver which I controlled via smartphone and Team Viewer .

With small steps I moved the LNB along the bracket looking for the point where the beacon signal was highest.

After few minute, and about 18 cm far from main LNB, I found the peak. Some other adjustment for the best signal, now I receive the begin beacon at about -60 dbm with a noise floor of about -95 dbm.

It’s not bad at all!

Now I can use the 80 cm dish for the uplink, I made some QSOs with significantly higher received signals in CW and with very clear and strong audio in SSB.

Other tests will follow.

The 80 cm dish for the uplink

Images taken from Heavens Above