I was invited to conduct a live satellite demo at the Philippine Navy as part of the exit presentation of DOST-Balik-Scientist CDR Leo Almazan USN (ret) at the Pascual Ledesma Naval Station in Cavite, Philippines. We’ve accessed DIWATA2 (PO-101) and had successful contact with JA6PL (Japan), DV2JHA (Pangasinan), and DU1ELT (Cotabato).
We used DIWATA2 satellite to bounce a signal from our location in Cavite, to other radio operators in Pangasinan, Cotabato, and as far away as Japan. Copyright: Naval Sea Systems Command, Philippine Navy
During the DIWATA 2’s (PO-101) testing phase, a special call sign was heard on the satellite: DX1O of AMSAT Philippines. Shortly after a successful QSO with DX1O, I have received the special e-QSL card below:
The operator is my mentor Jharwin Barrozo, DV2JHA, arguably the finest satellite operator in the Philippines.
Later I found out that I was one of the first few stations to make a successful contact via DIWATA2 and was given an award for it. Thank you DIWATA2 Team and AMSAT Philipines!
For more posts about QSL cards I’ve received from fellow hams, click here.
Interested in a paper QSL-card exchange? Catch me on one of the satellites, then send me an email:
I have received these cards from BG5UTE (China), for our contact on various satellites on April and May, 2019. Shi sent me a QSL-card confirming each of our first contacts in AO-91, AO-92, SO-50, and PO-101 (DIWATA 2). The cards’ cover features a photo of an Iridium satellite flare taken by BG5UTE himself! Thanks for these cards, I’ll be sending mine soon!
For more posts about QSL cards I’ve received from fellow hams, click here.
Interested in a paper QSL-card exchange? Catch me on one of the satellites, then send me an email:
In April 2018, we’ve rescued a chick that was abandoned by his parents. We raised him as our pet, and now he’s one year old! We’ve created an Instagram account for our pet rooster Chocobo. Follow him on his adventures at:
I’ve just made my first contact to South Korea, with DS2BWU via DIWATA 2 satellite. Below is a recording of last night’s pass. Thanks for the contact DS2BWU!
Prior to the service announcement, a small group of volunteer amateur radio operators worked with the engineers from STAMINA4SPACE Program (formerly named as the PHL-MicroSat Program) to test the full capabilities of DIWATA2’s Amateur Radio Unit. The scope involves testing the receiving (RX) and transmitting (TX) capabilities of the satellite both for voice mode and data mode. It also includes determining the kinds of antennas, the clarity of voice communication, and how much power is actually needed to access the satellite.
Plaques of appreciation were awarded to the first 10 stations to ever access DIWATA 2, and certificates for those involved in the testing efforts.
First 10 Stations to make a successful QSO via DIWATA2 Satellite
Jharwin Barozzo, DV2JHA (Phillippines)
Anthony Guiller Urbano, 4I1AWN (Philippines)
Joseph Petruff, 7J1ADJ/JR6 (Japan)
Afer Shi, BG5UTE (China)
JS6DRQ (Japan)
Iji Yoshitomo, JA6PL (Japan)
Brian Santos, DU1MS (Philippines)
JR6DI (Japan)
Hong Liu, BH4ESB (China)
Stanley Sumping Anak Albert Bejie, 9W8DNX (Malaysia)
For assisting with the testing efforts and achieving one of the firsts QSOs via DIWATA2, special awards were given to
Percival Padilla, DV1XWK (Philippines)
Lee Castor Canono, D8BVK (Philippines)
Veronica Catherine Anak Nohan (9W8VWW, Malaysia)
The awards were given on April 26, 2019, at the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute Bldg., University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, through AMSAT Philippines president Atty. Eduardo Victor Valdez, PHL-50 project leader Dr. Marc Caesar Talampas, and STAMINA4SPACE program leader Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano Jr.
The testing team will continue to assist the STAMINA4SPACE program in monitoring the status of DIWATA2’s Amateur Radio Unit.
In a recent test I’ve conducted with my portable satellite radio setup, I’ve successfully accessed the following satellites even at elevations of only 1 to 2° (very near the horizon!): AO-91, AO-92, IO-86, SO-50, and PO-101 (DIWATA2).
Satellite’s Elevation
A satellite on the horizon is described to have an elevation of 0° (degree) and a satellite directly overhead has an elevation of 90°. A pass may have an elevation anywhere from 0 to 90°.
Using a DIY antenna and a portable radio setup to access satellites that are very near the horizon
Establishing Contact
While there are many factors leading to a successful low-elevation contact, the following appears to have the greatest impact:
1. Use of a well-tuned and very directional hi-gain antenna
2. Proper pointing of antennas to satellites (use a smartphone)
3. Correct polarization of antenna elements (twist until you get the best signal)
4. Use hi-power when necessary (10W)
Have you done this test lately? How low an elevation can you access the satellites? If you want to make contact with distant stations via satellite, the only way to do that would be to access satellites when they are very low in the horizon.
The live DIWATA 2 satellite demo on May 17, 2019 was covered by several major news outlet including CNN Philippines. Below is a screenshot from a CNN report aired on national TV.
4I1AWN performing a live contact via Diwata 2 satellite’s amateur radio unit, reported on CNN Philippines (May 17, 2019)
We have successfully conducted a live demonstration of DIWATA2’s Amateur Radio Unit, showcasing the satellite’s capability to relay signals not only to and from any point in the country, but to other nearby countries as well. In this demonstration held earlier today in UP Diliman, Quezon City, an inexpensive home-brewed antenna connected to a low-cost radio transmitter was used to access the DIWATA2 satellite. Contact was established via satellite among the amateur radio operators in various location: Anthony Guiller Urbano (4I1AWN, Quezon City), Jharwin Barozzo (DV2JHA, Pangasinan), JP Almonte (4I1DIT, Quezon City), and other stations from Japan such as IjiYoshitomo (JA6PL, Japan) and JR6DI (Japan).
To listen to a complete uncut recording featuring the Japan-Philippines contact via Diwata 2 satellite (recorded by DV2JHA), click here.
