Installation of UiTM's ground station - Connecting earth and space with amateur band communication

• Published in: Journal of Physics: Conference Series
• Main Author: Mohamad Rahim S.N.; Jusoh M.H.; Taat A.
• Format: Conference paper
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Physics Publishing 2019
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063896695&doi=10.1088%2f1742-6596%2f1152%2f1%2f012025&partnerID=40&md5=3e9d5e45165738841a6b0aa573b7dc09

This paper portrays the installation of UiTM's Ground Station as being part of BIRDS Ground Station Networks; with its main task being to support BIRDS-2 nanosatellite's monitoring. UiTMSAT-1, UiTM's first nanosatellite, is one of the BIRDS-2 nanosatellites. It is expected to be deployed from International Space Station (ISS) by middle of 2018. The ground station is installed with two (2) Yagi antennas which operates in Amateur bands respectively at Very High Frequency (144 MHz -148 MHz) ranges and Ultra High Frequency (430 MHz - 438 MHz) ranges. Additionally, an APT antenna for 137 MHz-band polar-orbiting weather satellites is also installed at this ground station for earth weather monitoring. As for security and monitoring matters, lightning/surge protection system and surveillance system (CCTV) also has been installed. Conclusively, several tests had been done as confirmation on the equipment setup. The testing procedure includes receiving HORYU-4 and IO-86 satellite's signal, and evaluating NOAA satellites' processed data of South East Asia's coverage. The uplink communication test, with cooperation with satellite owner, is left for future planning. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.