Ham Radio Satellites with Two Arrow Antennas and Circular Polarization?

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Published 2023-05-03

My new "mini-array" is born, using two Arrow antennas phased together. I'm using switches that allow changing polarity between vertical, horizontal, left-hand and right-hand circular polarization. This setup is an experiment to test if switchable polarization will allow these little antennas to outperform a set of higher gain fixed antennas in real amateur satellite use. Either way this will be a lot easier to transport to field day! I've wanted to try this for a few years and am excited to share my project with the community.

Part 2 to follow with on-air testing once I finish the control cables and get the antennas mounted.

Link to Mini-Kits polarization switches:
www.minikits.com.au/EME219-2M-X-POL-SWITCH
www.minikits.com.au/EME219-70CM-X-POL-SWITCH

Link to .stl file for 3d printed Arrow antenna mounts:
www.thingiverse.com/thing:5990884

All Comments (21)

@shepherdspy 1 year ago

can't wait for part 2!
@WA1LBK 1 month ago

I LITERALLY just bought one of the Arrow antennas to use for Field Day! 🙂 - And like you, I've beem running fixed polarization (vertical in my case) for satellite operation, with the resultant fading issues you mentioned, so I'm VERY interested in seeing how your project turns out, I may do the same! 73, Tom WA1LBK
@martinrijkeboer6775 4 months ago

Hello Alex, Thanks for sharing.
@dougtaylor7724 1 year ago

Brilliant and so straightforward. Subbed and waiting for part 2.
@yv6eda 1 year ago

Amazing project Alex!
@nerdgizmos 10 months ago

Great project and thanks for sharing and taking us along on your journey
@thuff3207 1 year ago

Thank you for sharing and that is just awesome what you built. I look forward to your testing.
@roberthynds587 1 year ago

Awesome video and build looking forward the 2nd installment!
@Aleziss 1 year ago

ooooh... those nice switch kit seem awesome ! great finding !!
@garylanders1470 7 months ago

Excellent work!
@Dan-qp1el 9 months ago

Glad to find your channel also!!
@THEBossSound 11 months ago

This is EXACTLY what I am working on! Thank you! You saved me a lot of time and money :-Dn Hope to see you on the satellites! K9EZ
@davidgettman4695 1 year ago

Great Video. Thank you very much!
@VA3HDL 1 year ago

Great project. Excellent video! Very well explained. Congrats! 73
@youtubevideos1248 8 months ago

Beautiful.
@DXJungle 1 year ago

Excellent! 👏👏👏👏
@n5yiz 9 months ago

Fantastic!
@DavidGillooly 1 year ago

Very nice project. I'll follow it! 73
@Apostolos_Androutsos 2 months ago

Hello congratulations about your new contraction so we waiting for next video with results! De SV4IMN
@wildbill1 1 year ago

Very nice! I just received my antenna rotator from Sarctrac in Australia. It’s a wireless rotator that does azimuth and elevation. I will be using a dual band elk log periodic beam antenna. I am also waiting for a wireless controller and a stepper motor that will enable me to adjust for horizontal and vertical polarization. I will post a video when I get this project together.