Currently, probably the most accessible satellite for radio amateurs. On QSO in an emergency, a two-band "FM hand" and an external antenna will suffice. The optimal device would consist of two transceivers: at 2m with a power of 25W, at 70 cm any TCVR (RX is enough) and a pair of antennas (for example, design XE1MEX described recently). With such equipment, it is not a problem to work with the whole of Europe.
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Launch into orbit
UO-14 was launched by the Ariane space shuttle from Korou in French Guiana on January 22, 1990. On board is a satellite transponder with an uplink on 145.975 MHz and a downlink on 435.070 MHz. The advantage of FM in satellite operation is that we can largely ignore the Doppler frequency shift - we tune to the 2m uplink frequency and can transmit. At 70 cm, the Doppler is already larger, it is advisable to tune around the downlink frequency so that the reception is as good as possible, while we do not have to listen to our signal on the uplink.
Thanks to sponsors (University of Surrey, ARIANESPACE, VITA, AMSAT, RACAL, RAE, MITSUBISHI, SSTL), it was possible to realize a satellite with dimensions of 345x345x600 mm and a weight of 45 kg for a price of 350 GBP. It was launched by a space shuttle into a sun-synchronous orbit 780 km above the Earth's surface with an inclination of 98°.
On board is: battery module, receiver, transmitter, power system, remote control module, telemetry system, on-board computer (1802), RAM disk, PACSAT communication experiment (80C186), space experiment with particles, positioning, control and safety system. UO-14 has a 2 m dipole antenna and four 70 cm rod antennas, a stabilizer bar, two three-axis magnets and four GaAs solar panels that cover the outer surface of the satellite.
Transponder UO-14
The primary part of the UO-14 was a store and forward digital transponder that could be used by hundreds of portable earth stations. This method is mainly used in areas affected by natural disasters, where no other method of communication is functional. Two paid projects are aimed at monitoring the radiation of a low-orbit satellite (LEO), measurement of cosmic particles and total radiation. Power supply is provided by highly efficient GaAs solar cells in cooperation with NiCd accumulators.
Amateur radio transponder UO-14
After the failure of this system, only the amateur radio transponder is used today. He works 24 hours a day. It is busy every time you go around, so communication is limited to the exchange of the most necessary information - signs, reports and locators. The rule is that if two stations are doing a QSO, the others do not transmit - otherwise they would cause QRM. If you are interested in satellite communication, the best way to try it is called UO-14.