SatNOGS Wiki - User contributions [en]

Antennas

2021-05-08T06:53:15Z

Mathisono-2010: Updated the link to my GS

__NOTOC__
The type of antenna largely depends on the type of ground station. A no rotator ground station will benefit from a different type of antenna (omnidirectional) than a rotator based ground station (directional). The two different approaches are explored below. In addition to the choice of antenna the choice of location for the ground station will have an effect on the quality of observations.

==Non-Rotator Ground Station (Omnidirectional)==
This type of ground station will require an antenna that will give a broad coverage from its fixed position. It is therefore not just the antenna that needs to be considered but also the proximity of buildings, geography or metallic structures that might be in the path of a line of sight between the ground station and satellite.Typical ground stations have had success with simple wire antennas that can be commercially bought or made at home. Colinear or ‘white stick’ antennas are vertically polarised omnidirectional antennas. These have anecdotally been used for successful satellite work but should be avoided. The following are considered suitable choices:'''It is highly recommended that you use a mast-mounted Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) with these antennas.'''
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! style="width: 49%" |
===Commercial Antennas===
!
! style="width: 49%" |
===Homebrew Antennas===
|-
|[[File:WiMo TA-1.gif|left|frameless|160x160px]]

====WiMo TA-1====
VHF Turnstile

Estimated cost: 90€

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/141/ 141 - balcony-only-east-passes]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/33/ 33 - G7KSE]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/129/ 129 - Chabot Space And Science Center]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/984/ 984 - KJ6DZB] (with modified reflector)

*[https://www.wimo.com/scanner-antennas_e.html#004 Product link]
*[http://oz9aec.net/antennas/air-tests-wimo-ta-1-turnstile-antenna OZ9AEC Review]
|
|[[File:VHF Turnstile.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Turnstile====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/13/ 13 - OZ9AEC-VHF1]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/7/ 7 - Stony]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/16/ 16 - VK5QI-70CM]

*SatNOGS Turnstile Antenna (TBD)
*[https://vk4adc.com/web/index.php/vhfuhf-projects/26-multiband-ants/156-turnstile-vhf-uhf-fds VK4ADC instructions for VHF and UHF Turnstile antennas]
*[https://www.aeronetworks.ca/2017/12/amateur-satcom-rx-antenna-for-2-meter.html Six-element tape-measure VHF Turnstile with modeled patterns (could be used as directional) by Herman Oosthuysen]
*[https://iz7boj.wordpress.com/2018/12/02/double-turnstile-construction-for-satellites-receiving-in-435mhz-band/ Double turnstile construction for 435MHz]
|-
|[[File:M2 Eggbeaters.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====M2 Eggbeater====
VHF / UHF Eggbeater Antennas

Estimated cost: $304 (VHF), $280 (UHF), $573 (combo)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/50/ 50 - N5CNB-UHF]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/77/ 77 - N5CNB-VHF]

*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGEB144RK2M Product link for VHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGEB432RK70CM Product link for UHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGSATPACK1 Product link for combination package]
|
|[[File:VHF EZ-Lindenblad.png|left|frameless|112x112px]]

====Lindenblad====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/12/ 12 - W2BFJ]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/98/ 98 - Grove-UHF-01]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/442/ 442 - DL1UNX-FFB VHF]

*[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/An-EZ-Lindenblad-Antenna-for-2-Meters2.pdf AA2TX EZ-Lindenblad design can be found at this AMSAT PDF]
*[https://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/DCA.pdf KD6JDJ instructions can be found at this QST PDF]
*[https://www.amsat.org/articles/w6shp/lindy.html W6SHP instructions for VHF and UHF Lindenblad]
|-
|[[File:Winkler Turnstile.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Winkler Turnstile====
VHF/UHF Turnstile Antennas

Estimated cost: 40€ (VHF), 30€ (UHF)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/47/ 47 - DB0RV]

*[http://www.winklerantennenbau.de/sonst.htm Pricing page]
*[http://www.winklerantennenbau.de/kreuz137.htm Product link for VHF]
*[http://www.winklerantennenbau.de/kreuz446.htm Product link for UHF]
|
|[[File:UHF Paralindy.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====UHF Parasitic Lindenblad====
Estimated cost: $15 (with access to a 3D printer)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/300/ 300 - KB9JHU-Experimental]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/32/ 32 - SV1QZZ - UHF #2]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/187/ 187 - K3LRD UHF Lindenblad]

*[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/70ParaLindy.pdf Instructions can be found at this AMSAT PDF by AA2TX]
|-
|
|
|[[File:Quadrifilar Antennas.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Quadrifilar Helix Antenna (QFH)====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/272/ 272 - K3LRD VHF QFH]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/255/ 255 - EA5BZ - Elche]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/183/ 183 - SPUTNIX-R2ANF-VHF/UHF-stationary]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/890/ 890 - Valpo WIRED Lab 3]

*[http://www.g4ilo.com/qfh.html G4ILO QFH Instructions]
*[https://www.aeronetworks.ca/2017/12/parasitic-quadrifilar-helical-antenna.html VHF Model/patterns for QFH by Herman Oosthuysen]
*[http://jcoppens.com/ant/qfh/calc.en.php QFH Calculator by ON6JC/LW3HAZ]
*[https://community.libre.space/t/an-easy-3d-printed-quadrifilar-helix-antenna/1487 3D Printed UHF QFH Antenna by surligas]
*[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4737259 3D Printed VHF QFH Antenna based on G4ILO's dimensions]
|-
|
|
|[[File:Vhf moxon turnstile.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

===="Turnstiled" Moxon====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/305/ 305 - VK5KJP-VHF]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/331/ 331 - VK5KJP-UHF]

*[https://sat.fg8oj.com/images/VHFUHFSatelite.pdf Instructions can be found at this QST article by W4RNL]
|}


==Rotator Ground Station==
A rotator based ground station is able to make use of directional antennas. These will have a directional gain, meaning that you will need to point them in the direction of the satellite but the signal you receive will be stronger and for longer. They will allow much lower to the horizon passes to be received and more successful observations. These are not complex antennas but the choice will depend on the type of satellite and there are variations on the main types: yagi, helical and quad.

{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! style="width: 49%" |
===Commercial Antennas===
!
! style="width: 49%" |
===Homebrew Antennas===
|-
|[[File:M2 Leopack.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====M2 Circularly Polarized Yagis====
VHF/UHF Cross-element Yagi

Estimated cost: $296 (UHF), $296 (VHF), $638 (Combo kit)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/2/ 2 - KB9JHU]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/109/ 109 - EA6WQ - Tomas Orzaez]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/25/ 25 - N7IPY]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/834/ 834 - Valpo WIRED Lab 1] - ([https://www.m2inc.com/FG2MCP14 2MCP14] and [https://www.m2inc.com/FG436CP30 436CP30] ~3.3m booms)

*[https://www.m2inc.com/FG2MCP8A Product link - VHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FG436CP16 Product link - UHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGLEOPACK Product link - Combo kit]
|
|[[File:Cross element UHF yagi.jpg|left|frameless|133x133px]]

====Yagi Antennas, Cross-element yagi antennas====
VHF/UHF directional antenna

Estimated cost: TBD

A common type of antenna that is either horizontally or vertically polarised. Simple to construct and suitable for a large number of satellites.

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

TBD

*TBD: Assembly instructions
*[https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-antennas/tree/master/Yagi Source code for SatNOGS yagi antenna designs are here].
|-
|[[File:Wimo xquad vhf.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====WiMo X Quad====
VHF/UHF Cross-element Quad

Estimated cost: 149€ (VHF), 149€ (UHF)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/6/ 6 - Apomahon]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/49/ 49 - OZ7SAT]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/232/ 232 - VK5QI-AZ/EL]

*[https://www.wimo.com/xquad-antennas_e.html Product link]
|
|[[File:Satnogs helical v1.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Helical Antennas====
UHF circularly polarized directional antenna

Estimated cost: TBD

A less common type that are circularly polarized. The antenna looks a bit like a corkscrew and can be either LHCP (Left hand circular polarisation) or RHCP (right hand circular polarisation).

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/6/ 6 - Apomahon]

*v4 [https://satnogs.dozuki.com/Guide/Helical+Antenna+v4/11 Assembly instructions]
*[https://ohai.satnogs.org/project/helical-antenna-v5/ v5 Assembly instructions]
*[https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-antennas/tree/master/Helical Source code for SatNOGS helical antenna designs are here.]
|-
|[[File:Arrow Portable Yagi.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Arrow Dual-band portable yagi====
VHF/UHF portable yagi

Estimated cost: $83-$149

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

TBD

*[http://www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html Product price/ordering link]
*[http://www.arrowantennas.com/sub/arrowiiyagi.html Product details link]
|
|
|-
|[[File:Elk Log Periodic.jpg|left|frameless|112x112px]]

====Elk Log Periodic====
VHF/UHF portable yagi

Estimated cost: $130-$163

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

TBD

*[https://elkantennas.com/product/dual-band-2m440l5-log-periodic-antenna/ Product link]
|
|
|}


A radome design is available from SatNOGS. This will protect the ground station from the elements in all but extra ordinary conditions. The design can be found [https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-radome/blob/master/satnogs-radome-v1-bom.ods here] and construction guide [https://ohai.satnogs.org/project/satnogs-radome-v1/hardware/ here]. 
[[Category:Antenna]]
[[Category:Hardware]]
__NOEDITSECTION__
[[Category:Omnidirectional Antennas]]
[[Category:Directional Antennas]]

Antennas

2019-08-17T17:41:25Z

Mathisono-2010: Added my station

__NOTOC__
The type of antenna largely depends on the type of ground station. A no rotator ground station will benefit from a different type of antenna (omnidirectional) than a rotator based ground station (directional). The two different approaches are explored below. In addition to the choice of antenna the choice of location for the ground station will have an effect on the quality of observations.

==Non-Rotator Ground Station (Omnidirectional)==
This type of ground station will require an antenna that will give a broad coverage from its fixed position. It is therefore not just the antenna that needs to be considered but also the proximity of buildings, geography or metallic structures that might be in the path of a line of sight between the ground station and satellite.Typical ground stations have had success with simple wire antennas that can be commercially bought or made at home. Colinear or ‘white stick’ antennas are vertically polarised omnidirectional antennas. These have anecdotally been used for successful satellite work but should be avoided. The following are considered suitable choices:'''It is highly recommended that you use a mast-mounted Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) with these antennas.'''
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! style="width: 49%" |
===Commercial Antennas===
!
! style="width: 49%" |
===Homebrew Antennas===
|-
|[[File:WiMo TA-1.gif|left|frameless|160x160px]]

====WiMo TA-1====
VHF Turnstile

Estimated cost: 90€

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/141/ 141 - balcony-only-east-passes]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/33/ 33 - G7KSE]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/129/ 129 - Chabot Space And Science Center]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/896/ 896 - KJ6DZB]

*[https://www.wimo.com/scanner-antennas_e.html#004 Product link]
*[http://oz9aec.net/antennas/air-tests-wimo-ta-1-turnstile-antenna OZ9AEC Review]
|
|[[File:VHF Turnstile.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Turnstile====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/13/ 13 - OZ9AEC-VHF1]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/7/ 7 - Stony]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/16/ 16 - VK5QI-70CM]

*SatNOGS Turnstile Antenna (TBD)
*[https://www.vk4adc.com/web/vhfuhf-projects/26-multiband-ants/156-turnstile-vhf-uhf-fds VK4ADC instructions for VHF and UHF Turnstile antennas]
*[https://www.aeronetworks.ca/2017/12/amateur-satcom-rx-antenna-for-2-meter.html Six-element tape-measure VHF Turnstile with modeled patterns (could be used as directional) by Herman Oosthuysen]
*[https://iz7boj.wordpress.com/2018/12/02/double-turnstile-construction-for-satellites-receiving-in-435mhz-band/ Double turnstile construction for 435MHz]
|-
|[[File:M2 Eggbeaters.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====M2 Eggbeater====
VHF / UHF Eggbeater Antennas

Estimated cost: $304 (VHF), $280 (UHF), $573 (combo)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/50/ 50 - N5CNB-UHF]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/77/ 77 - N5CNB-VHF]

*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGEB144RK2M Product link for VHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGEB432RK70CM Product link for UHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGSATPACK1 Product link for combination package]
|
|[[File:VHF EZ-Lindenblad.png|left|frameless|112x112px]]

====Lindenblad====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/12/ 12 - W2BFJ]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/98/ 98 - Grove-UHF-01]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/442/ 442 - DL1UNX-FFB VHF]

*[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/An-EZ-Lindenblad-Antenna-for-2-Meters2.pdf AA2TX EZ-Lindenblad design can be found at this AMSAT PDF]
*[https://www.qsl.net/py4zbz/DCA.pdf KD6JDJ instructions can be found at this QST PDF]
*[https://www.amsat.org/articles/w6shp/lindy.html W6SHP instructions for VHF and UHF Lindenblad]
|-
|[[File:Winkler Turnstile.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Winkler Turnstile====
VHF/UHF Turnstile Antennas

Estimated cost: 40€ (VHF), 30€ (UHF)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/47/ 47 - DB0RV]

*[http://www.winklerantennenbau.de/sonst.htm Pricing page]
*[http://www.winklerantennenbau.de/kreuz137.htm Product link for VHF]
*[http://www.winklerantennenbau.de/kreuz446.htm Product link for UHF]
|
|[[File:UHF Paralindy.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====UHF Parasitic Lindenblad====
Estimated cost: $15 (with access to a 3D printer)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/300/ 300 - KB9JHU-Experimental]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/32/ 32 - SV1QZZ - UHF #2]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/187/ 187 - K3LRD UHF Lindenblad]

*[https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/70ParaLindy.pdf Instructions can be found at this AMSAT PDF by AA2TX]
|-
|
|
|[[File:Quadrifilar Antennas.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Quadrifilar Helix Antenna (QFH)====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/272/ 272 - K3LRD VHF QFH]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/255/ 255 - EA5BZ - Elche]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/183/ 183 - SPUTNIX-R2ANF-VHF/UHF-stationary]

*[http://www.g4ilo.com/qfh.html G4ILO QFH Instructions]
*[https://www.aeronetworks.ca/2017/12/parasitic-quadrifilar-helical-antenna.html VHF Model/patterns for QFH by Herman Oosthuysen]
*[http://jcoppens.com/ant/qfh/calc.en.php QFH Calculator by ON6JC/LW3HAZ]
*[https://community.libre.space/t/an-easy-3d-printed-quadrifilar-helix-antenna/1487 3D Printed UHF QFH Antenna by surligas]
|-
|
|
|[[File:Vhf moxon turnstile.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

===="Turnstiled" Moxon====
Estimated cost: TBD

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

TBD

*[https://sat.fg8oj.com/images/VHFUHFSatelite.pdf Instructions can be found at this QST article by W4RNL]
|}


==Rotator Ground Station==
A rotator based ground station is able to make use of directional antennas. These will have a directional gain, meaning that you will need to point them in the direction of the satellite but the signal you receive will be stronger and for longer. They will allow much lower to the horizon passes to be received and more successful observations. These are not complex antennas but the choice will depend on the type of satellite and there are variations on the main types: yagi, helical and quad.

{| class="wikitable" style="width: 100%;"
! style="width: 49%" |
===Commercial Antennas===
!
! style="width: 49%" |
===Homebrew Antennas===
|-
|[[File:M2 Leopack.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====M2 Circularly Polarized Yagis====
VHF/UHF Cross-element Yagi

Estimated cost: $296 (UHF), $296 (VHF), $638 (Combo kit)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/2/ 2 - KB9JHU]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/109/ 109 - EA6WQ - Tomas Orzaez]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/25/ 25 - N7IPY]

*[https://www.m2inc.com/FG2MCP8A Product link - VHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FG436CP16 Product link - UHF]
*[https://www.m2inc.com/FGLEOPACK Product link - Combo kit]
|
|[[File:Cross element UHF yagi.jpg|left|frameless|133x133px]]

====Yagi Antennas, Cross-element yagi antennas====
VHF/UHF directional antenna

Estimated cost: TBD

A common type of antenna that is either horizontally or vertically polarised. Simple to construct and suitable for a large number of satellites.

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

TBD

*TBD: Assembly instructions
*[https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-antennas/tree/master/Yagi Source code for SatNOGS yagi antenna designs are here].
|-
|[[File:Wimo xquad vhf.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====WiMo X Quad====
VHF/UHF Cross-element Quad

Estimated cost: 149€ (VHF), 149€ (UHF)

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/6/ 6 - Apomahon]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/49/ 49 - OZ7SAT]

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/232/ 232 - VK5QI-AZ/EL]

*[https://www.wimo.com/xquad-antennas_e.html Product link]
|
|[[File:Satnogs helical v1.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Helical Antennas====
UHF circularly polarized directional antenna

Estimated cost: TBD

A less common type that are circularly polarized. The antenna looks a bit like a corkscrew and can be either LHCP (Left hand circular polarisation) or RHCP (right hand circular polarisation).

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

[https://network.satnogs.org/stations/6/ 6 - Apomahon]

*v4 [https://satnogs.dozuki.com/Guide/Helical+Antenna+v4/11 Assembly instructions]
*[https://ohai.satnogs.org/project/helical-antenna-v5/ v5 Assembly instructions]
*[https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-antennas/tree/master/Helical Source code for SatNOGS helical antenna designs are here.]
|-
|[[File:Arrow Portable Yagi.jpg|left|frameless|100x100px]]

====Arrow Dual-band portable yagi====
VHF/UHF portable yagi

Estimated cost: $83-$149

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

TBD

*[http://www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html Product price/ordering link]
*[http://www.arrowantennas.com/sub/arrowiiyagi.html Product details link]
|
|
|-
|[[File:Elk Log Periodic.jpg|left|frameless|112x112px]]

====Elk Log Periodic====
VHF/UHF portable yagi

Estimated cost: $130-$163

Some SatNOGS stations using this antenna:

TBD

*[https://elkantennas.com/product/dual-band-2m440l5-log-periodic-antenna/ Product link]
|
|
|}


A radome design is available from SatNOGS. This will protect the ground station from the elements in all but extra ordinary conditions. The design can be found [https://gitlab.com/librespacefoundation/satnogs/satnogs-radome/blob/master/satnogs-radome-v1-bom.ods here] and construction guide [https://ohai.satnogs.org/project/satnogs-radome-v1/hardware/ here]. 
[[Category:Antennas]]
__NOEDITSECTION__
[[Category:Omnidirectional Antennas]]
[[Category:Directional Antennas]]

SatNOGS Network

2019-08-17T16:59:03Z

Mathisono-2010: minor change to instructions .... makes it ez to find

==Scope==

SatNOGS Network website is where the scheduling, reviewing and operations happen for the SatNOGS project. The instance can be found in [https://network.satnogs.org network.satnogs.org]

==Getting started==

* Head to https://network.satnogs.org/accounts/signup/ to create a new account
* Verify your email

Now you're ready to create a ground station!

===Creating a ground station===

* On your user page, click on "Add Ground Station"
* Fill out all the information. You'll need to provide some essential information about your ground station:

<ul>
<li>Where is the station? We'll need the height above ground level and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maidenhead_Locator_System maidenhead locator]</li>
<li>Is the antenna static, or does it have a rotator?</li>
<li>What type of antennas does the station have?</li>
</ul>

All this information is then saved by the network, and used to determine which satellites can be received by your station. This will help other users to schedule passes on your ground station, but it can also help you improve your station. For example, perhaps you would like to receive the latest [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_picture_transmission NOAA APT weather images] which are VHF transmissions. You could schedule an observation with your ground station and multiple other ground stations in order to determine if your set up has comparable performance. Without the station detail, this would not be possible.

* Finally, head to your client and [[Raspberry_Pi_3#Setup|complete its setup]], using the information you supplied on the Network, plus the API key and the ID you were assigned.

The image below shows the web page for a typical ground station:
[[File:Dev_ground_station.PNG|center|800px]]

===Observing a pass===

The central point of the system is the ability to schedule a pass. You'll find all the information about scheduling and how to assess the quality of the observation as part of [[Operation|scheduling your first observation]].

Your station should now appear on the [https://network.satnogs.org/stations/ Ground Stations list] marked as yellow "Testing".

==Moving out of testing==

The Network needs reliable ground stations that perform within the constraints that would be expected. A ground station should perform in a way that is comparable to its peers and in line with the constraints of the geography, antenna type, location and the other aspects which will make a ground station different to another.

Once you feel that your station has been performing well for a period of time under the "Testing" flag then remove the flag. Select the ground station press edit and remove the testing flag under settings. Then announce the availability of a new station in our community channels!

The ground station should also be reliable. This does not mean that it should be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Downtime is expected, it should however, not be unduly off line or unreliable.

==What's next?==

* Keep your station busy! Schedule observations or reach out to the community for scheduling help.
* Keep reviewing your ground station performance.
* Reach out to others in community for help on any issue.

==Development==

The SatNOGS Network application is a project by itself with constant development. We test the Network application in our [[Development Environment|development environment]], and [[Software contribution|always welcome python/javascript developers to help us]]!