I Built A Cheap Satellite Tracking System From Spare Parts

This is a project I’ve been working on for a while: automated satellite tracking! The system uses an old security camera pan/tilt mount to aim a small parabolic dish. It’s run by an Arduino microcontroller, I think this is the first time I’ve actually tried one of those for anything useful! The system can be controlled from standard ham radio software like Gpredict or Satdump. I based much of this project on the SARCNet rotator Mk1, found here: Instead of the Aptinex Tricac board, I’m using four 5v relays: The PTZ mount is a Pelco unit I got from Ax-Man Surplus. I actually found most of the parts for this project at Ax-Man, you can find them here: I’m also using this sensor module: I use a software-defined radio to listen to the satellite transmissions: And I have a SAWbird GOES filter/amplifier on the antenna feed to maximize the signal from L-band satellites (~). (Buying from the Amazon links gives me a small commission and doesn’t cost you any extra! It’s a great way to support content like this!) The dish is a surplus Wireless network antenna that another ham gave me. The feed is a helical L-band design based on this: This system could easily be modified for Hamsat / Cubesat use with other antennas. I have a few old security camera mounts around, so I’ll probably modify another one in the future to have 2m/70cm antennas for Amsat / space station repeater operation. It could also be used as a small radio telescope, basically a step up from the Tailgater and Carryout telescopes I’ve been playing with ( Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at Join this channel to get access to perks: Or support me via Patreon at Check out gadgets and devices I like at