Table of Contents
GM5ALX QO-100 Setup
My setup uses the Pluto SDR+ as the transceiver. It's one of two common setups, the other being upconverter from a 2/70 radio.
Here's the overall diagram:
Also includes my estimates of the power. In operation I've found I'm at 85% in SDR console, which I think is circa 10-12W out, and I'm similar signal strength to the centre beacon. I've spoken to others with 1.2-1.8m dishes and they use 2-5W.
Here are a few construct photos:
 |  |  |
| Outside enclosure | Drilling for power plugs | Weather proof setup |
Bill of Materials
What a bill…
| Part | Store | Price inc. shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Pluto+ SDR | Aliexpress | £201 |
| CN-0417 pre-amp | Digikey | £43 |
| SG Labs 20W PA | SG Labs | €147 |
| 2.4 GHz helix antenna | nolle engineering | €126 |
| 80cm dish, mount, RX cable | Satellite Super Store | £108 |
| Bullseye LNB | Amazon | £31 |
| Biased tee | Amazon | £24 |
| 12V/5V DC-DC converter | eBay | £4.9 |
| 12V/28V DC-DC converter | eBay | £7.45 |
| Power Supply (Meanwell 12V 5A 60W Power Supply (GST60A12)) and 10m cable | PiHut | £31 |
| TX Coax (LMR-400-UF) and fittings | Barenco | £65 |
| Waterproof box | Screwfix | £40 |
Some optimisation possible. Dish is probably an overpriced one.
Software
SDR Console is probably the best, if you run Windows, particularly for the geobeacon frequency locking. I'm meaning to write up my SDR console setup but recommend you read the docs, there's a dedicated QO-100 page, and then YouTube.