Hi there !!
I’m planning this weekend my first SOTA on FM satellites at EA1/AT-064 (my first option). As on FM satellites, according to AMSAT operation guides, it’s not recommended to call “CQ or CQ Satellite”, I’m wondering how I should proceed with the SOTA activity on the satellite: callsign following SOTA ? Is this a special case so we can call “CQ SOTA” on the satellite ?
Thank all of you in advance for your comments.
Regards,
Pedro - EA4HCF
Hi Pedro,
I am not a specialist of satellite questions and therefore not able to answer. But for me are QSOs via satellite not SOTA rules conform (only direct QSOs are valid, no repeater and satellite is a kind of repeater).
May be I am wrong, so let other GM member clarify this point.
73 & HNY
Laurent de F8CZI
Interestingly, the English version of the General Rules in section 3.7.1 / 10 specifically permits satellite contacts, but the French version does not mention this
Rick
QSOs through a satellite are valid for SOTA.
The normal system with satellites is you say your callsign followed by your grid. So in my case it would be “M0WIV IO70” and that’s all. You don’t have to say “QRZ” because time is very limited although in the video below you will hear me saying it. I suggest you mention the summit reference once then just use the grid to save time and avoid confusing non-SOTA operators.
You can work satellites from anywhere so I suggest practising from home first, assuming you have a reasonable view of the sky. You will need to compensate for the Doppler effect. I have 5 settings stored in memory covering from the horizon, halfway up, overhead, halfway down then near the horizon again.
The app ISS Detector I’ve found very helpful for pointing towards the satellite. It also shows the exact frequency to use as the satellite passes over but you don’t have to be exactly on this, within 1KHz is easily close enough and you can get away with 2KHz in my experience.
I made a rough video of a recent attempt at a satellite QSO. But I haven’t yet tried it from a summit - I need more practice as it isn’t easy! @EI4JY is the expert.
They are conform. Read the rules. There is a special exception for satellite QSO.
Looks like someone was just not updating the French rulebook.
But the English General Rules are to be consulted in case of doubt.
73 Joe
My mistake, I had wrongly assimilated the satellite to a classic repeater. My apologies and enjoy the satellite traffic mode.
73 Laurent
Hello Pedro,
Nice to read you here!
You can get in contact with EA4M who has succesfully activated SOTA in satellites a few times.
He his very keen on Sats, sure he can help you to have a better operation.
Good luck and tell us how it goes!
Un abrazo
73 de Ignacio
Thanks for all your answers, it is clear that I will call with my callsign followed by “sota”.
Thank you @M0WIV for your advice, great video !!
A pleasure to read you here Ignacio, indeed I have spoken with Rick and he has confirmed the way to call. Te mando un fuerte abrazo desde Asturias !!
Again, thanks to all of you for your comments and answers. I hope that the weather and the mountain will soon let me put into practice what I have learned.
Looking forward to hearing you soon, kind regards
Pedro - EA4HCF
It is also possible to use the QO-100 sat but not for FM. The advantage of QO-100 is there is no time constraint, the sat is there 24/7. Nick G0HIK and myself have had a number of activations (G4VFL = 23 summits) on QO-100. With some alteration in config of the 2.3GHz you can also do S2S.
Here is a picture of my activation on GM/SS-072, 50cm dish + 2W is plenty big enough. Most summit ops I get away with the dish on the ground but sometimes it needs a little elevation to about 0.5 -1m AGL.
73 de
Andrew G4VFL
If you find a summit with a good western horizon, we may be able to make a transAtlantic satellite S2S QSO someday.
73, Scott
