Icom 910/821 Mods for Cubesat Support

[KL2TU]

Hi all,

I am designing a ground station for my University to support the cubesat we are designing and building. The University has two radios, an Icom 910 and an Icom 821. The Icoms only go up to a data rate of 9600 bps whereas our satellite is expected to be transmitting at 38.4 kbps. I'm exploring options for modding out either of these radios to achieve a higher data rate.

One option I've looked at is the Symek IFD board which widens the filter in the radio allowing for a higher data rate. The downside is that I need the data rate to be received on the 2-m band whereas the IFD only mods the 821 for the 70-cm band. It looks like the 910 can be modded on the 2-m band but it takes two boards? I'm not exactly sure from the instructions and was wondering if anyone has done these mods before and could give advice.

Also, I'm looking for other mod alternatives if anyone has suggestions or ideas.

Thanks.

Sam "KL2TU"

[5B4AJB]

Does the 821 have seperate IF's (for each band)? It might be as simple as plonking the mod onto the other IF???

Bear in mind, if you make the mods too hard, not many will listen in...

[armadillo]

"our satellite is expected to be transmitting at 38.4 kbps"

I am not aware of cubesats able to sustain data rates of more than 9600 bps.
http://cubesat.ifastnet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13

[pa3weg]

I've done the IFD mod for the IC-910 before and it takes one board per band.
So to have 38k4 capability on ONE band you need to buy ONE board.

Please note that due to the different first IF frequencies for 70cm and 2m it takes two DIFFERENT boards if you want to do both bands.

I'm just wondering: are you setting up a groundstation in alaska?

[armadillo]

Three Cubesats will be launched on 23 Feb. 2011 (http://cubesat.ifastnet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=152). This is a good opportunity to test your ground station, if you finished it in the meantime.