Getting Started document on hardware?

[stannie]

What is the minimal hardware / antenna configuration and/or suggested or sample hardware setups, where to buy, do's and dont's.

[sgoudelis]

I'll make a list stannie,

1. Antenna, for satellites, circular polarization is better (thats what satellites mostly use)
2. Super low NF LNA (low noise amplifier) with very low noise figure, right at the base of the antenna
3. Optional: filter if interference is high perhaps in your location, the filter should be before the LNA at the base of the antenna or after depending on the conditions and what works best there
4. Low loss coax cable
5. Optional: another LNA this time it does not have to have super low NF (noise figure) right before the receiver to make up for the loss in the cable, if the cable runs too long
6. SDR receiver capable of receiving in the frequency you want (usb connected)
7. mini pc or raspberry pi 5 running ground station

The antenna LNAs and filter will be usable only for one RF band, for example 144mhz to 146mhz or 430mhz to 440mhz or another. The rest can be shared.

Important: What is NF (noise figure)? It is the ratio of the noise at a circuit’s output to the noise that would be present at the output if the circuit were noiseless (given the same source). Lower is better. This can make the difference between seeing the signal in the waterfall and decoding is successfully.

[sgoudelis]

I forgot, if you dont want to track the satellite your self outside, you can get a antenna rotator (controlled by ground-station)