HRIT and LRIT Low-Cost System

[RSP2user]

This setup uses off-the-shelf components, is really easy to put together, and is comparatively low in cost. A key component of the low-cost HRIT/LRIT system is a new LNA for GOES satellite reception that NooElec, Inc. has been developing (currently described as the SAWBird GOES, though the name is subject to change when it goes into volume production). The SAWBird GOES was obtained as an Engineering Sample (for a fee) from NooElec, Inc. through their support department. The key elements of the system are as follows:

1) NooElec, Inc. SAWBird GOES w/power option ($24.95 plus $4 shipping; contact support@nooelec.com).
2) PremierTech ANT-GRID-24DBI antenna ($12.83 plus 24.25 shipping from Provantage, LLC; PN PREK014; www.provantage.com).
3) 50ft active USB extension cable ($11.98 on Ebay at https://www.ebay.com/itm/50FT-USB-2-0-4 ... 2749.l2649 ).
4) N male to SMA male connector.
4) male-to-male SMA connector.
5) Low cost tripod.

In this setup, you should first put together the PremierTech grid antenna. Note that the smaller secondary reflector must be flipped over from what is indicated in the instructions that come with this antenna. Also, it is helpful to use sandpaper or a file to remove the coating on the inside of the tabs that mate the two halves, so that there is a good electrical connection across the primary reflector. Next, mount the antenna to the tripod. Note that you will need to take into account the polarization of the satellite that you wish to receive from. In the United States for GOES 16, the polarity that works best is a diagonal polarity from bottom right to upper left when facing the satellite. For GOES 17 (not in services yet at this time, but broadcasting a carrier), vertical polarity works well at present. For GOES 15, vertical polarity is appropriate.

From the Central United States, good results were obtained with reception from both GOES 16 and GOES 15; however, the signal quality level was not optimum using only a 1 meter parabolic antenna with the SAWBird GOES LNA. The strong advantage of the SAWBird GOES LNA is that it has a built in SAW filter, plus the LNA and cable driver. So the SAWBird GOES unit saves a lot of overall expense when compared to systems that have a separate LNA, filter, and line driver.

Here are some images of the setup and operation.

Signal check using SDRuno set to 4Msps:

Initial Test - NooElec SAWBird GOES using SDRuno on G16.JPG (118.7 KiB) Viewed 81687 times

Setup:

IMG_3274CU.JPG (135.63 KiB) Viewed 81687 times

LNA and RSP2 (mounted with Velcro):

IMG_3272LNA.JPG (97.28 KiB) Viewed 81687 times

[RSP2user]

In the above image, The PC's USB port is powering the 50 ft active USB cable (20mA) plus the RSP2 plus the SAWBird w/power option LNA (around 30mA). Note that NooElec now offers two versions of the GOES SAWBird LNA - the version used in this article has a single RF shield and operates at around 30 mA at 5v and can be powered from the RSP2 Bias-T port. Verify with NooElec that you are ordering the correct version. Regarding the 50ft USB cable, the original 50 ft USB 2.0 cable ordered worked flawlessly and did not interfere with reception. Recently, another 50ft USB cable from the same vendor was ordered. However, the 50ft USB cable received this time was not the one pictured in the advertisement from the vendor (with a ferrite choke on each end and the active USB transceiver in the middle of the cable) nor the same one received previously that actually matched the picture posted by the vendor. The first 50 ft USB cable worked very well. The one received recently creates too much noise and is too error prone to work in this application. If you order a 50 ft USB cable and it does not have a large ferrite choke on each end and an active transceiver in the middle, it may not work well for this application. Be aware of this when you order a USB extension cable for SDR applications. A new source as of July 17, 2018 for these 50ft active USB cables that have tested to work properly (as of the date this post was written) for this application is: https://www.ebay.com/itm/50FT-High-Spee ... 2749.l2649. The design of these cables may change over time. Always check to be sure the one you receive will have the active transceiver in the middle of the shielded cable and a large ferrite choke at each end. Note: The links in these posts and articles for a 50ft USB active cable are for reference only. Make sure you can get your money back, if it does not work well. Many people have had problems with the quality of 50ft USB cables, regardless of source. So test it well once you receive it and if applicable return it, if you are getting USB errors when using it.

GOES 16 Full Earth Image (note that the normally-white background was changed to black by applying the color fill selection using PC-Paint):

G16-Full Disk-VIS-1527352245-original LR v2.JPG (148.01 KiB) Viewed 80232 times

USA-Satcom XRIT Demodulator during GOES 16 image reception:

Initial Test - NooElec SAWBird GOES on G16 v3.JPG (89.01 KiB) Viewed 81674 times

GOES 15 United States Segment (note that GOES 15 is much farther from the receiving point than GOES 16):

G15-US Segment - 26 May 2018.JPG (185.85 KiB) Viewed 81674 times

[RSP2user]

NooElec and GOES 15 v3a.JPG (89.56 KiB) Viewed 81674 times

NooElec and decoder and GOES 15 v3a.JPG (135.5 KiB) Viewed 81674 times

Not affiliated with any companies listed in this post.

[RSP2user]

Another view of the setup.

IMG_3271FA v2.JPG (40.81 KiB) Viewed 81672 times

USA-Satcom XRIT Decoder software may be obtained for a fee from USA-Satcom: https://usa-satcom.com/contact_form/ . The USA-Satcom XRIT Decoder software has been tested using the RSP2 and RSP1A. For a complete list of compatible SDR devices and PC requirements, contact USA-Satcom.

[RSP2user]

Related posts:

HRIT and LRIT Geostationary Weather Satellite Image Reception
https://www.sdrplay.com/community/viewt ... f=5&t=2674

Orbital Satellite HRPT Image Reception
https://www.sdrplay.com/community/viewt ... f=5&t=2624

Orbital Weather Satellite APT Image Reception
https://www.sdrplay.com/community/viewt ... f=5&t=2529

[Fractal1]

Awesome post, didn't realise it could be done with that size antenna. I'm definitely going to give this a go, thanks.

[RSP2user]

In case anyone was wondering how well the NooElec SAWBird GOES LNA/Filter combined with the Premiertek 1m grid antenna described above works for HRPT, here is an initial test showing the signal level from a NOAA 18 pass as well as a manually-tracked image showing subtropical storm Alberto from NOAA 19 with a 31 degree maximum altitude pass. WIth optimized antenna tracking, results are expected to be better. Software used for HRPT image reception is different than described above. The USA-Satcom XHRPT Decoder was used to decode the signal. The image was then displayed and saved using the purchased version of ReadHRPT (allows for RGB color images).

Noaa 18 NooElec SAWBird LNA and 1m PremierTek Grid.JPG (162.47 KiB) Viewed 81422 times

NOAA_19_HRPT_20180527_211230 LR v2.jpg (206.57 KiB) Viewed 81422 times

[RSP2user]

Better 60 degree maximum altitude pass of NOAA 19 HRPT hand tracked using the Premiertek ANT-GRID-24DBI antenna and the NooElec SAWBird GOES LNA.

NOAA_19_HRPT_20180602_214244-rgb-corrected v2.JPG (184.06 KiB) Viewed 80319 times

[rhwarner]

I have been trying to purchase the USA-Satcom XRIT Decoder software by going to the website for a while. The contact form is broken or no one responds, I have purchased all parts and installed, really need the software.

[RSP2user]

The contact form on the USA-Satcom web site has been fixed.

https://usa-satcom.com/contact_form/