Satellites and EME
Work the birds with automatic Doppler correction, and track the moon on EME stations.
Updated 12 Nov 2026
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A few stations are built for space: steerable az/el antennas with satellite tracking, or big VHF arrays for moonbounce. On those stations the console adds the controls described here. On every other station they simply aren't shown.
Satellites
The Satellites tab in the toolbox lists the upcoming passes over the station: Satellite, Next Pass (how long until it rises, or that it is up now), Length and Max El. On a station without satellite capability the tab says so.
Click a pass to start tracking that satellite; click it again to stop. A crosshair marks the one being tracked, the station's antennas follow it, and the antenna map shows the satellite's position, footprint and ground track.
Log satellite contacts with the Satellites fieldset in the Log Entry panel, which records the satellite's name; see Logging from the console.
EME
On EME stations the antenna panel grows a Track Moon checkbox showing the moon's azimuth and elevation. It is grayed while the moon is below the station's horizon. Tick it and the antennas follow the moon; untick it to take the rotor back. See Antennas and rotors.
Most moonbounce today is digital. The console decodes Q65 at the station, with the submode selectable in the FT8 panel; see FT4 and Q65.
Related articles
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Operating the console
Antennas and rotors
Use the map panel to choose antennas, turn the beam with Go Anywhere or a preset, and track the moon on EME stations.
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Operating the console
Icom radios
The Icom radio panel — VFO A and B, split, XFC, filters and receive settings, FM repeaters, and the transmit controls.
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FT8, FT4 & Q65
FT4 and Q65
The same panel also works FT4 and Q65, including the Q65 submodes used for EME.
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Logbook
Logging from the console
The Log Entry panel, its keyboard flow, and the Log tab for quick edits.
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