Hi,
Sorry to revive this old thread, but out of boredom and because I saw a video review of the Pluto+ SDR that showcased this application:
This got me interested in QO-100 reception.
I thought I already had most of the required equipment, but turns out, I don't:
- I have, among lots of other stuff, two practically unused ADALM Pluto (rev. B). But they lack the Crystal and PTT mod.
- I have several satellite dishes, but I understand that a special LNB with modded Crystal is needed for frequency stability.
- To upload, a 2.4GHz bandpass filter is obviously required, if the Pluto or similar SDR transciever is to be used. I don't own one.
- A 10W amplifier for 2.4GHz is needed. Don't own one, either.
- Not sure what antenna is used for uploading, I think this is what the helix with dielectric is all about, which I don't own.
Looking at different forums, websites and online shops, it is pretty easy to spend 500-1000 Euro for all required components, excluding the Pluto!
That just killed this project for me.
Still, I wonder that this can't be it. There must be a cheaper way, right? Anyone willing to enlighten me? I do have an amateur radio license, but I am not afiliated to any club nor do I personally know any other HAM.
I would be OK to mod one of my Pluto, to add a better OCXO and a PTT board (not sure where or what do buy - saw two eBay offers for this at 50 Euro combined, not exactly cheap) or even buy a Pluto+ from AliExpress (has better OCXO, 2x RX/TX and Ethernet, but lousy FW support). I would be willing to spend some money on a 10W amplifier, especially if it could be useful for other aplications).
Thanks,
Vitor