Ground Station Antenna Installation

The ground station antenna system is a key component of the ORCASat satellite communication system. It features two large rotating Yagi antennas on a complex mechanical support system. After much testing near roof level, on December 17, 2022 the day has finally arrived to install the antenna in its final location, on top of the West Tower of the UVic Propagation Laboratory. The antenna system, prior to installation on the tower is shown below.

To facilitate the install, the services of Vera Industrial Access and Coastal Crane were contracted. This was because the team did not have the adequate equipment and experience to safely undertake this installation. As a first step in the process, the tower top was prepared to accept the antenna system by Vera’s rope access technicians, and the crane was pre-positioned near the building by its operator.

With the tower ready to accept the antenna system, it was rigged with slings and a spreader bar to ensure that it does not get damaged during the lift. Following this, under the instructions of the lead rope access technician, the boom of the crane was prepositioned over the building and the antenna system, and the antenna system was carefully lifted and fastened to the pre-positioned pole at the tower top.

The ORCASat team would like to thank Vera Industrial Access and Coastal Crane for a well executed, professional job, and the ECE Department & UVic for accommodating the logistic of this installation. The antenna system is now being connected to the radio equipment indoors, and it is undergoing final electrical testing in anticipation of the ORCASat deployment at the end of this month.