Build - Revision history

Parker.link1: /* Next steps */ Add software setup guide to Next Steps

2026-05-17T21:48:57Z

‎Next steps: Add software setup guide to Next Steps

Kerel+satnogs: Remove link to platform "Fedora" (broke & not supported anymore for quite some years)

2022-08-17T09:49:27Z

Remove link to platform "Fedora" (broke & not supported anymore for quite some years)

Hadji.yohan: Add SuperAntennaz to the table

2021-05-01T17:26:23Z

Add SuperAntennaz to the table

Hadji.yohan: Adding link in the table

2021-05-01T16:38:35Z

Adding link in the table

Vittorio at 14:05, 15 March 2021

2021-03-15T14:05:47Z

Pierros at 08:39, 6 August 2020

2020-08-06T08:39:23Z

Acinonyx: Replace redirection page

2020-01-20T16:26:48Z

Replace redirection page

Jebba: Categories

2020-01-19T21:54:29Z

Acinonyx: /* How do I pick? */

2019-09-11T21:43:11Z

‎How do I pick?

Acinonyx at 21:40, 11 September 2019

2019-09-11T21:40:57Z

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 |[[Antennas|Yagi]]
 |-
-|[[SatNOGS_Client_Ansible|Debian system]]
+|[[SatNOGS_Client_Ansible|Debian system]] (Debian 12 is well-supported)
 |[http://spid.net.pl/en/rot2prog-2/ Rot2Prog]
 |[[SPID Big RAS]]
@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 |[[Antennas|Helical]]
 |-
-|[[Linux Desktop]]
+|[[Linux Desktop]] (not well-supported)
 |[[G-5500|lsf-g5500]]
 |[[G-5500|Yaesu G5500]]
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 |[[Antennas|Vertical]]
 |-
+|[[Ubuntu - Client Installation]] (not well-supported)
 |[https://wiki.satnogs.org/SatNOGS_Arduino_Uno/CNC_Shield_Based_Rotator_Controller Arduino UNO CNC Shield based controller]
 |[[No rotator]]
@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 ==How do I pick?==
-'''Client''': The Raspberry Pi is the reference platform for SatNOGS, and is currently the option that has the best support from the community.  Certain SDRs may benefit from a more powerful CPU, like what you'd find in a desktop machine; however, currently you'll need to set that up on your own.
+'''Client''': The [[Raspberry Pi]] is the reference platform for SatNOGS, and is currently the option that has the best support from the community. Debian 12 on a desktop/laptop computer is also supported. Certain SDRs may benefit from a more powerful CPU, like what you'd find in a desktop machine.
 '''Rotator''': A rotator, like the [[SatNOGS_Rotator_v3|SatNOGS Rotator v3]], will allow your antenna to follow satellites as they move across the sky, and thus pick up fainter signals.  But if you want to get started quickly, or don't have the hardware skills to build your own, you can still pick up stronger signals (the ISS, NOAA and Meteor weather satellites) with a [[No_rotator|no-rotator]] setup.  If you already have [https://github.com/Hamlib/Hamlib/wiki/Supported-Rotators a rotator supported by rotctl], you can use that.
-'''Signal Reception''': The reference radio for SatNOGS is the [https://www.rtl-sdr.com RTL-SDR v3], but other latest-generation SDRs like the [http://www.nooelec.com/store/nesdr-smart-sdr.html NooElec NESDR SMart] should work as well.  Higher-end SDRs should work as well, but can get a bit expensive.  Alternately, [https://sourceforge.net/p/hamlib/wiki/Supported%20Radios/ any radio supported by rigctl] should work.
+'''Signal Reception''': The reference radio for SatNOGS is the [https://www.rtl-sdr.com RTL-SDR v3], but other latest-generation SDRs like the [http://www.nooelec.com/store/nesdr-smart-sdr.html NooElec NESDR SMart] should work as well.  Higher-end SDRs work as well, but can get a bit expensive.  Alternately, [https://sourceforge.net/p/hamlib/wiki/Supported%20Radios/ any radio supported by rigctl] should work.
 Amplification is generally done by a low noise amplifier, or LNA. There are multiple options:
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 *A wide-band LNA next to your SDR (see [http://lna4all.blogspot.com/ LNA4ALL], [https://iz7boj.wordpress.com/2019/04/11/spf5189z-lna-measurements-on-vna/ SPF5189] and similar)
 *A band specific (or two) pre-amplifiers next to your antennas ([http://www.wimo.com/mast-preamplifier_e.html example])
-*No amplification at all...just pump the gain of your SDR.  (This is not recommended for the rtl-sdr.)
+*No amplification at all; just pump the gain of your SDR.  (This is not recommended for the rtl-sdr.)
 '''Antenna''':  Stationary antennas (eg: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnstile_antenna Turnstile], [https://community.libre.space/t/parasitic-lindenblad-on-uhf/1128/2 Lindenblad]) will be easy to build and mount, as they won't require rotator hardware.  They will let you receive stronger broadcasts, like NOAA weather satellites and ISS broadcasts, but may not work for receiving fainter cubesat broadcasts.  Directional antennas (eg: Yagis, Helicals) can be more complicated to build, but will also require a rotator to track satellites across the sky.  The advantage is that they will let you pick up fainter broadcasts from cubesats or ham radio satellites. Sometimes it's useful the ability of [[Antenna switching|switch]] different antennas among observations.
 ==Next steps==
 Once you have a ground station ready, you should go ahead and operate it! More info can be found on the [[Operation]] wiki page.

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 |[[Antennas|Vertical]]
 |-
-|[[Fedora Installation|Linux Fedora (old)]]
 |[https://wiki.satnogs.org/SatNOGS_Arduino_Uno/CNC_Shield_Based_Rotator_Controller Arduino UNO CNC Shield based controller]
 |[[No rotator]]

@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
+|
 |[https://community.libre.space/t/ramps-1-4-board-for-satnogs-rotator/3386 RAMPS 1.4 Board for SatNOGS Rotator]
+|[[SuperAntennaz|SuperAntennaz]]
+|
 |-

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 !Platform
 !Controller
-!Rotator
+![[Rotators|Rotator]]
 !Radio
-!Antenna
+![[Antennas|Antenna]]
 |-
 |[[Raspberry_Pi|Raspberry Pi]]

@@ Line 68: / Line 68: @@
 *No amplification at all...just pump the gain of your SDR.  (This is not recommended for the rtl-sdr.)
-'''Antenna''':  Stationary antennas (eg: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnstile_antenna Turnstile], [https://community.libre.space/t/parasitic-lindenblad-on-uhf/1128/2 Lindenblad]) will be easy to build and mount, as they won't require rotator hardware.  They will let you receive stronger broadcasts, like NOAA weather satellites and ISS broadcasts, but may not work for receiving fainter cubesat broadcasts.  Directional antennas (eg: Yagis, Helicals) can be more complicated to build, but will also require a rotator to track satellites across the sky.  The advantage is that they will let you pick up fainter broadcasts from cubesats or ham radio satellites.
+'''Antenna''':  Stationary antennas (eg: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnstile_antenna Turnstile], [https://community.libre.space/t/parasitic-lindenblad-on-uhf/1128/2 Lindenblad]) will be easy to build and mount, as they won't require rotator hardware.  They will let you receive stronger broadcasts, like NOAA weather satellites and ISS broadcasts, but may not work for receiving fainter cubesat broadcasts.  Directional antennas (eg: Yagis, Helicals) can be more complicated to build, but will also require a rotator to track satellites across the sky.  The advantage is that they will let you pick up fainter broadcasts from cubesats or ham radio satellites. Sometimes it's useful the ability of [[Antenna switching|switch]] different antennas among observations.
 ==Next steps==

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 !Antenna
 |-
-|[[Raspberry_Pi_3|Raspberry Pi]]
+|[[Raspberry_Pi|Raspberry Pi]]
 |[[SatNOGS Rotator Controller|SatNOGS Controller]]
 |[[SatNOGS_Rotator_v3|SatNOGS Rotator]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:54, 19 January 2020
Line 73:		Line 73:

	Once you have a ground station ready, you should go ahead and operate it! More info can be found on the [[Operation]] wiki page.		Once you have a ground station ready, you should go ahead and operate it! More info can be found on the [[Operation]] wiki page.
		+
		+	[[Category:Build]]
		+	[[Category:Hardware]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __NOTOC__
-== Introduction ==
+==Introduction==
 Building a ground station need not be complicated. There are a few things to consider when working out what it is you are going to do. Choices such as the desire to have a fixed or steerable ground station will play a big part in the amount of equipment needed and the time taken as well as the complexity of any build. If you are new to this and a little unsure then a fixed (no rotator) option is a good choice. If you fancy a challenge and want to pick out the weakest signals then the steerable ground station might be what you are after. There is more detail in the [[Ground Stations]] page
@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 The illustration below sets out the various major components to give an idea as to what is commonly used.
-== Options for Ground Stations ==
+==Options for Ground Stations==
 A satellite ground station is made up from different parts. The following diagram can help you select your setup based on your needs and/or your existing setup.
@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 {| class="wikitable" style="margin: 0 auto;"
-! Platform
+!Platform
-! Controller
+!Controller
-! Rotator
+!Rotator
-! Radio
+!Radio
-! Antenna
+!Antenna
 |-
-| [[Raspberry_Pi_3|Raspberry Pi 3]]
+|[[Raspberry_Pi_3|Raspberry Pi]]
-| [[SatNOGS Rotator Controller|SatNOGS Controller]]
+|[[SatNOGS Rotator Controller|SatNOGS Controller]]
-| [[SatNOGS_Rotator_v3|SatNOGS Rotator]]
+|[[SatNOGS_Rotator_v3|SatNOGS Rotator]]
-| [[Radio#SDR|SDR]]
+|[[Radio#SDR|SDR]]
-| [[Antennas|Yagi]]
+|[[Antennas|Yagi]]
 |-
-| [[SatNOGS_Client_Ansible|Debian system]]
+|[[SatNOGS_Client_Ansible|Debian system]]
-| [http://spid.net.pl/en/rot2prog-2/ Rot2Prog]
+|[http://spid.net.pl/en/rot2prog-2/ Rot2Prog]
-| [[SPID Big RAS]]
+|[[SPID Big RAS]]
+|
-| [[Antennas|Helical]]
+|[[Antennas|Helical]]
 |-
-| [[Linux Desktop]]
+|[[Linux Desktop]]
-| [[G-5500|lsf-g5500]]
+|[[G-5500|lsf-g5500]]
-| [[G-5500|Yaesu G5500]]
+|[[G-5500|Yaesu G5500]]
-−
+|
-| [[Antennas|Vertical]]
+|[[Antennas|Vertical]]
 |-
-−
+|
-| [https://wiki.satnogs.org/SatNOGS_Arduino_Uno/CNC_Shield_Based_Rotator_Controller Arduino UNO CNC Shield based controller]
+|[https://wiki.satnogs.org/SatNOGS_Arduino_Uno/CNC_Shield_Based_Rotator_Controller Arduino UNO CNC Shield based controller]
-| [[No rotator]]
+|[[No rotator]]
-−
+|
-| [[Antennas|Cross-Yagi]]
+|[[Antennas|Cross-Yagi]]
 |-
-−
+|
-| [https://community.libre.space/t/ramps-1-4-board-for-satnogs-rotator/3386 RAMPS 1.4 Board for SatNOGS Rotator]
+|[https://community.libre.space/t/ramps-1-4-board-for-satnogs-rotator/3386 RAMPS 1.4 Board for SatNOGS Rotator]
+|
+|
@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 {{Message|Use the above table to select your setup. E.g. RPi3 > Yaesu G550 > SDR > UHF helical & VHF Cross Yagi}}
-== How do I pick? ==
+==How do I pick?==
 '''Client''': The Raspberry Pi 3 is the reference platform for SatNOGS, and is currently the option that has the best support from the community.  Certain SDRs may benefit from a more powerful CPU, like what you'd find in a desktop machine; however, currently you'll need to set that up on your own.
@@ Line 64: / Line 64: @@
 Amplification is generally done by a low noise amplifier, or LNA. There are multiple options:
-* A wide-band LNA next to your SDR (see [http://lna4all.blogspot.com/ LNA4ALL], [https://iz7boj.wordpress.com/2019/04/11/spf5189z-lna-measurements-on-vna/ SPF5189] and similar)
+*A wide-band LNA next to your SDR (see [http://lna4all.blogspot.com/ LNA4ALL], [https://iz7boj.wordpress.com/2019/04/11/spf5189z-lna-measurements-on-vna/ SPF5189] and similar)
-* A band specific (or two) pre-amplifiers next to your antennas ([http://www.wimo.com/mast-preamplifier_e.html example])
+*A band specific (or two) pre-amplifiers next to your antennas ([http://www.wimo.com/mast-preamplifier_e.html example])
-* No amplification at all...just pump the gain of your SDR.  (This is not recommended for the rtl-sdr.)
+*No amplification at all...just pump the gain of your SDR.  (This is not recommended for the rtl-sdr.)
 '''Antenna''':  Stationary antennas (eg: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnstile_antenna Turnstile], [https://community.libre.space/t/parasitic-lindenblad-on-uhf/1128/2 Lindenblad]) will be easy to build and mount, as they won't require rotator hardware.  They will let you receive stronger broadcasts, like NOAA weather satellites and ISS broadcasts, but may not work for receiving fainter cubesat broadcasts.  Directional antennas (eg: Yagis, Helicals) can be more complicated to build, but will also require a rotator to track satellites across the sky.  The advantage is that they will let you pick up fainter broadcasts from cubesats or ham radio satellites.
-== Next steps ==
+==Next steps==
 Once you have a ground station ready, you should go ahead and operate it! More info can be found on the [[Operation]] wiki page.