My favorite satellite tracking program for SO-50 is the one I use on my phone. It's easy to use and you may have seen it in my videos. Below are some of my other favorites. On another note, a couple of Hams mentioned the PVC pipe used with the Elk antenna. I have some nice closeups of the antenna below so you can see for yourself, the PVC pipe really isn't an issue. It is working FB in my opinion and I like that it lays flat and stores easily. I can even hang it on my wall when it's not in use!

Elk Antenna Closeup

The PVC can be painted if the white color turns you off. It doesn't bother me personally.

I have learned to leave about 8 inches of coax hanging from the connector. This helps with the SWR and I might even remove the tie downs so it hangs further away.

I am very happy with the quality of the antenna.

Satellite Tracking Programs

The best free satellite tracking program I have found is the one I use on my Android phone, AMsatDroid. It will predict the passes and I can visually track SO-50 while outside. I found it eliminates a lot of guess work.

The next favorite application would be the one that comes with Ham Radio Deluxe, HRD SatTrack , because it's so easy to use.

And then there is SatPC32. It works great, but took longer to figure out how to use. It's free to use, but will not save your location information until it's paid for.

Gpredict is pretty simple. I used Gpredict on my Raspberry Pi last year and it works good. I think once I get my Raspberry Pi up and running in my new shack I'll be using it more.

Those are my favorites so far. Of course there are many others available.

Baofeng Programming

You can find the info in my article here: Programming Your Baofeng for SO-50 with Chirp.

Up Next

Coming up next I’ll have some pictures and information on my ham shack table (desk). The table top is solid oak and the entire table was less than $150 to make.

Thank you for subscribing to this website. I appreciate the comments, questions and suggestions. Please comment below and follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube if you have those.

Stay in touch and best 73,

Rich, K0PIR

 

Links

Programming Your Baofeng for SO-50 with Chirp

AMsatDroid

Elk Antenna

Ham Radio Deluxe

SatPC32

Gpredict