Antennas for Amateur Satellite Communication
Find antenna designs and projects for working with amateur radio satellites, including Yagis, Moxons, Eggbeaters, and Lindenblads.
Working amateur radio satellites requires specialized antennas to track orbiting spacecraft and make QSOs. Operators often build their own arrays for VHF and UHF bands, focusing on designs that offer circular polarization and good gain to cope with signal fades and Doppler shift. Successful satellite operation depends on careful antenna selection and construction, whether for portable setups or fixed ground stations.
This category provides practical designs for satellite antennas, including popular options like the Eggbeater and Lindenblad for omnidirectional coverage, and various Yagi and Cross-Yagi arrays for higher gain. Hams can find projects for dual-band antennas, such as the Moxon-Yagi combination, and learn about optimizing feedlines. Resources also cover advanced topics like antenna elevation systems and specific designs for higher frequency bands like 2400 MHz Helix antennas.
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Construction plans for a 2-meter Turnstile antenna, specifically designed for amateur satellite communication, including materials and assembly. -
Mobile vertical antenna for 144 MHz suitable for satellite signals reception by K5OE -
Pictures of 2.4 Ghz antennas, JN1GKZ S-band homemade antennas -
This antenna is easy to build and suitable for broadband work, satellite work and terrestrial work. -
Crossed yagi for 437 MHz Satellite antenna, with power divider splitter build. -
A 6 elements VHF Yagi antenna designed with YAGIMAX 3 and made by SV1XY with excellent results on local and satellites contacts like UO-14 and AO-27 -
James Miller G3RUH article on amsat site -
A detailed construction guide for a portable 1.2m "brolly dish" antenna for AO-40 satellite operations, using a modified umbrella frame. -
A 70 cm and 2 m arrow-like antenna by DF8GH -
A portable antenna for mode B and J satellites -
This article describes how to make a quadrifilar helix (QFH) antenna easily, from inexpensive materials: uPVC plumbing pipe and RG-58U co-axial cable. A low-cost, easy-to-build Quadrifilar Helix (QFH) antenna for weather satellite reception using uPVC plumbing pipe and RG-58U coaxial cable. Unlike traditional designs requiring copper pipe and plumbing skills, this approach enables construction with basic tools and minimal technical expertise. The antenna's shorter, wider proportions favor higher elevation angles, reducing interference from horizon-level pager transmitters. Electrical connections are simplified at the antenna's apex, with the coaxial cable forming the radiating elements. Testing demonstrated consistent signal strength throughout satellite passes, proving effective weather satellite reception is achievable without precision engineering to sub-millimeter tolerances. -
A homebrew project of a quadruple helix antenna system based on G3RUH 16 turn helix antenna for 2.4 GHz. -
Smart homebrew antenna-ELEVATOR system with linear actuator. The actuator is a cheap and heavy tool with high enough torque, ideal for elevation systems, but in practice it needs quite an effort in order to operate correctly in your homebrew antenna system. This page inform you of the actuator's secrets. -
Detailed instructions for building a 137MHz Lindenblad antenna for NOAA satellite reception, including materials, impedance matching, and RFI mitigation. -
Cheap Antennas for the AMSAT LEO Kent Britain WA5VJB -
Build this cheap and easy satellite downlink antenna -
Antenna was designed for SO-50 satellite operation but can be used for any VHF/UHF activity. It's a mix of a Moxon Antenna and a Yagi antenna. It has gains 4 dBd on 2m and 6.5 dBd on 70cm bands and it is fed via single 50 Ohm cable. -
Modify an Analogue Sky TV Offset Fed Dish for AO-40 S-Band -
Cross-Yagis for Terrestrial and Satellite Work The 2x6-El.-Cross-Yagi (28 Ohm, 2.60m Boom) by Henk, PA3GUO -
Dish antenna and its theory and design for high performance applications such as satellite transmission and reception as well as microwave links. Parabolic Reflector Antenna: Dish Antenna The parabolic reflector antenna which is often called the dish antenna provides an antenna solution applicable for VHF and above where high gain and directivity are needed for all type of radio communications and radio reception. -
An easy to build antenna for ground reception of NOAA weather or amateur satellite signals. Double cross antenna by Gerald Martes -
The antenna is a VHF side is a 2m moxon, tuned on 145.825 MHz. The driven element of the moxon couples to a driven element for a 5 element 70cms Yagi, tuned on 436.5 MHz. -
The EggBeater Antenna web page by ON6WG F5VIF a web site dedicate to this VHF UHF antenna -
This antenna was conceived mainly for high-speed digital transmission via satellite. The antenna is made of two full waves loops , mounted at right angles to each other. Then coupled together, 90 degrees out of phase over a horizontal circular reflector. With this configuration the antenna is omni directional and circularly polarized. -
Presented here is a high-performance, circularly polarized omni-directional antenna that is easy to build, easy to tune, inexpensive, and will work all the mode J Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites -
This easy to build antenna works well for satellite or terrestrial communication, horizontal or vertically polarized by Anthony Monteiro, AA2TX QST Article -
A 4 elements handitenna for 70 cm band. This is my version of the K5OE Handitenna. This one is a four Element instead of three, as I had less of a crunch on space than he did. The 1st three elements (Reflector, Driven Element, and Director 1) are the same dimensions as his were. -
Here is a high-performance hand-held beam antenna that is easy to build and guaranteed to improve your downlink from the LEO satellites over ANY rubber duck or mobile whip -
Plan of a helix antenna for 2 meter satellite use by VK5ZAI -
The Arrow Antenna is a design classic: it combines light weight, compact design and functionality in a single package for operating FM dual band satellites such as AO-27, UO-14, SO-41 and SO-50 -
An AO-10 antenna by K5OE, this design is optimized for 436.8 mHz with a 50 Ohm feed -
There are many kinds of satellite antennas that will get you on the birds and allow you to have lots of fun -
A Lindenblad Antenna for 145 MHz and 435 MHz with an integrated 50 MHz J-pole -
A Parasitic Lindenblad Antenna for 70cm by Anthony Monteiro, AA2TX. This is the official 16 pages PDF File published by AMSAT about the 70cm Parasitic Lindenblad Antenna. -
Arrow-Style VHF/UHF portable satellite antenna by VE2ZAZ -
A project for a portable antenna for amateur radio satellite reception, for 2 meters and 70 centimeters bands -
Comprehensive guide to building and optimizing satellite antenna systems, covering low-cost construction, matching networks, and feedline considerations. -
A rugged motorized satellite antenna tracking system for construction by the home handyman -
Simple, inexpensive and lots of fun! Here is an easy to make home brew antenna that can get you on the air working satellites or be built for use as a portable hand held antenna to extend the range of your HT. -
Calculating and building an Eggbeater antenna. InstantTune and push-button Rx. Documentation available in french and english -
The ultimate satellite Omni Antenna by Howard Sodja, W6SHP. The Lindenblad antenna consists of four half wave folded dipoles slanted 30 degrees to the horizon, oriented 90 degrees to each other in azimuth, spaced 0.3 wavelength apart -
A new, simple way to build the Eggbeater Antenna. This document introduces a new, simpler way to build the Eggbeater antenna. It also introduces a technically proper way to construct the Eggbeater antenna in order to achieve the best result. -
What type of antenna should I get? Well, the best type of antenna for working the OSCAR satellites are circular polarized antennas -
Coax is a very important part of a satellite station. It is almost as important as the antennas you choose. This article discusses choosing coaxial cables for satellite communication, emphasizing factors like line loss. It compares types such as RG-8, RG-58, Belden 9913/9913F, LMR-400, and hardline, highlighting their impact on signal preservation. -
Based on DL6UW Yagi antenna's design-formula The forward gain is 13.6 dBi (about 11.5 dBd) and it's pretty small, about 1,5 m in length -
A UHF antenna for satellite reception. Anntenna mast is in wood, made with two aluminium rods -
Building a LEO satellite ground station, and eggbeater antenna for the 70cm band -
An introduction to antennad including a DIY assembly instruction for a A Ground Plane Antenna for NOAA Weather Stations -
2x2 Element Turnstile 137 MHz for satellite weather reception -
Modified 80cm Offset Dish for 2.4 GHz Satellite Reception. This 50-ohm impedance antenna allows, when connected to 2.4GHz preamplifier and downconverter, to receive Amateur satellites with 2.4GHz transponders such as AO-40. -
Building Eggbeater II Omni low Earth orbit satellite Antennas for 70cm by ZR6AIC -
EA4CYQ shares three years of personal experience with amateur radio satellite operation, detailing antenna builds and field results. -
The eggbeater antenna uses on mobile operations using the metal roof of the car as the reflector. The distance between the antenna and the roof as described in this article should be 1/8 lambda. -
A 3.2m EME dish project that provides a better performance on 1296 MHz (10+dB sun noise vs. 6dB with my 432 array) and an even better performance on 2304 MHz -
Construction guide for a homemade 137 MHz V-dipole antenna optimized for weather satellite reception. Includes dimensions and assembly details. -
In this article author illustrate a homemade yagi antenna for satellite operations. The antenna includes a VHF antenna and an UHF antenna with a band splitter. -
The essentials of the parabolic reflector or dish antenna and its theory and design for high performance applications such as satellite transmission and reception as well as microwave links. -
An ingenious portable satellite antenna designed for the IC-705. Addressing its lack of full duplex, the IC-705’s Split Mode enables FM satellite communication, with memory channels programmed for Doppler correction. The antenna combines a 2m Moxon and 70cm Yagi for mechanical simplicity and a single feed point, ideal for handheld use. Built with 3D-printed parts, TIG welding rods, and PVC pipe, it’s lightweight, transportable, and effective. STL files and detailed instructions ensure easy replication for enthusiasts. -
A very portable Umbrella Dish for the A0-40 Satellite operation, by G6LVB -
Satellite Antennas for LOE Satellites -
Low Cost Satellite Antennas article was originally presented at a Project OSCAR seminar on September 30th, 1990. AMSAT-UK printed an abridged version of this presentation in their OSCAR News, Number 88, April 1991. The original presentation has been reedited and updated for AMSAT's Web page. -
Construction of an antenna for experimental satellite communication, 8el. (435 Mhz) x 4el. (145 Mhz) Satellite Yagi crossed. No difficulty to built this antenna. Except the gamma match. that requires a little more attention -
KD8KSB realization of the CJU satellite antenna that allow similar performance to the arrow antennas. -
Building the UHF Cheap Yagi for Satellite Communication -
This home made antenna provides around 10.5dBd gain on 70cm, and 6.5dBd gain on 2m, which is more than adequate to work the FM satellites with a handheld dual band radio -
A VHF UHF handheld antenna suitable for satellite operation by LY3H include antenna plan with dimensions and pictures.