[amsat-bb] Lock on Tracking

["Craig Gernaey" <CGernaey@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I can tell you how NASA and others do this at microwave (2 ghz) and higher. They call it auto tracking. They split the feedhorn into four equal quadrants using what is called an orthogonal mode junction.  The signal strength in each quad is continually measured and compared to the others. The dish is automatically adjusted in an attempt to keep all four quads equal. The computer knows which way to adjust the dish based on which quad has the most signal. 

The expense and complexity of this would seem to me to be outside the capabilities of most AO-40 users. It would be of greater advantage for fast moving LEO's than for AO-40 type orbits.  
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