High School / HS-07
Available Grades 9–12 RF & space Computing & data
Build a 137 MHz antenna and SDR receiver, predict passes from orbital elements, and decode images from weather satellites still transmitting in that band.
Build a 137 MHz V-dipole on a laser-cut hub, predict satellite passes from orbital elements with SGP4, work out a link budget, and then receive and decode real images from the Russian Meteor-M weather satellites with a USB software-defined radio. Students measure signal strength against elevation, recover the Doppler curve from their own recording (and from it, the satellite's closest range and their radio's clock error), and turn the decoded image into geography.
Note on NOAA satellites: NOAA-15, -18 and -19 (the classic 137 MHz APT satellites) were decommissioned in June–August 2025. This pack targets Meteor-M N2-4 (primary) and N2-3 (alternate; its LRPT signal is weaker because its antenna did not fully deploy) LRPT on 137.9 MHz, OQPSK 72 ksym/s, both active on 2026-10-09. Backups: NOAA Weather Radio (receive chain), ISS 145.800 MHz SSTV events (live satellite), GOES HRIT as an extension. See licensing.md.
Students will:
Every high school pack includes worked math and physics, prediction-versus-measurement labs, at least two design-and-test iterations, data logging, a rubric, and documentation templates, plus printable Builder's Corner build journal pages.
Parts, specs, quantities, and estimated unit costs, with places to buy. Prices change; anything marked as an estimate is an estimate. Links were checked when the BOM was written.
Totals are computed from the line items below. Prices were read from vendor pages on the dates shown and will change. Rows tagged estimate have no verified link and are planning numbers only.
| ID | Part & spec | Qty | Unit (typical) | Line (typical) | Where to buy | Cheaper substitute | Adult handling / safety gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R1 | RTL-SDR Blog V3 dongle + Multipurpose Dipole Antenna Kit R860 (R820T2) tuner, 1 PPM TCXO, SMA, software bias tee; kit: dipole base, 2 × 23 cm–1 m telescopic arms, 3 m RG174, tripod and suction mounts (vendor listing) | 1 | $49.95 | $49.95 | rtl-sdr.com RTL-SDR Blog store page (ships via Amazon US / eBay / AliExpress) $44.95 – $49.95 (range shown; typical uses the top of the range) · checked 2026-10-09 · 'Amazon USA warehouse in stock' (page text) | Nooelec NESDR SMArt v5 $44.95 (verified; dongle only, add an antenna) · RTL-SDR Blog V4L Lite dongle $37.95 (verified; vendor warns not all apps support it yet) | — |
| R2 | 137 MHz SAW filter + LNA (optional, strongly recommended in towns) Nooelec SAWbird+ NOAA barebones · 5 MHz passband centred on 137.5 MHz, ≥ 30 dB gain, ~180 mA (vendor) | 1 | $44.95 | $44.95 | nooelec.com Nooelec $44.95 · checked 2026-10-09 · Not shown in page HTML | Omit (low total): decode only high passes | Power from its micro-USB port, bias tee OFF, SMA DC block (R4) in line (the V3 bias tee's 180 mA rating equals the SAWbird's 180 mA nominal draw: no margin); one power source only (Nooelec). Bias-tee loads ≤ ≈ 125 mA |
| R3 | SMA pigtail adapter set (SMA to BNC, N, UHF, F, PAL) RTL-SDR Blog, 6 adapters with 20 cm RG316; SMA–BNC joins the student antenna's coax | 1 | $18.95 | $18.95 | rtl-sdr.com RTL-SDR Blog store page $18.95 · checked 2026-10-09 · 'Amazon USA warehouse local in stock' (page text) | A single SMA-male-to-BNC-female adapter (unverified, ~$5) | — |
| R4 | SMA DC block (inline; use with the SAWbird+, R2) Mini-Circuits BLK-89-S+ · SMA-F to SMA-M, 50 Ω, 0.1 MHz–8 GHz; blocks the SAWbird's DC from the RTL-SDR's antenna port; male end screws onto the RTL-SDR | 1 | $20.26 | $20.26 | minicircuits.com Mini-Circuits $20.26 (qty 1–4) · checked 2026-10-09 · Current stock: more than 1,000 | Omit with R2 (low total) | Bias tee OFF whenever the SAWbird is on micro-USB power |
| Subtotal | $134.11 | Low-cost path: $63.90 | |||||
| ID | Part & spec | Qty | Unit (typical) | Line (typical) | Where to buy | Cheaper substitute | Adult handling / safety gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | Aluminium or brass rod, 3/16 in (≈ 4.8 mm), 36 in Two elements cut to ≈ 53 cm (Lab 1 decides the exact length) | 2 | $5.00 estimate | $10.00 | Hardware store (no link) — | #10 AWG solid copper wire (stiff), or the kit's telescopic arms | Adult cuts rods; file the ends; cap ends (eye-poke hazard) |
| B2 | RG58 coax patch cable, BNC male both ends, 25 ft Cut one end off for the feed point | 1 | $12.00 estimate | $12.00 | Electronics / hardware store (no link) — | The kit's 3 m RG174 with its far end cut (shorter, lossier) | — |
| B3 | Clamp-on ferrite cores for RG58 (choke at the feed) 3–5 cores, ~5 mm ID, under 20 mm across (they ride inside the 3/4 in pipe, ≈ 21 mm bore) | 4 | $1.50 estimate | $6.00 | Electronics store (no link) — | 5 turns of the coax, 10 cm diameter, at the feed above the hub (coiled choke) | — |
| B4 | M3 screws, nuts, washers, ring terminals; zip ties; electrical tape Feed-point terminals and element clamps; tape for the coax strain-relief collar and the drip loop | 1 | $6.00 estimate | $6.00 | Hardware store (no link) — | Classroom stock | — |
| B5 | 3/4 in schedule 40 PVC pipe, 5 ft + 2 hose clamps sized for your post + pipe (about 150 mm range for a 4×4 post) Mast; hub socket fits 26.7 mm OD | 1 | $8.00 estimate | $8.00 | Hardware store (no link) — | Wooden broom handle (change BORE in gs_cut_gen.py) | Mast stays ≤ 2 m, hand-held or clamped to a railing; never near power lines |
| B6 | Baltic birch plywood 3 mm, 12 × 20 in Wood Vault, 1/8" Laser/CNC grade variant; 1 sheet (hub, rings, gussets, sky plot) | 1 | $3.50 | $3.50 | woodvault.com The Wood Vault $3.50 per sheet (1/8" Laser/CNC grade variant) · checked 2026-10-09 · Not confirmed (variant availability not shown) | Any 3 mm laser plywood | — |
| B7 | Laser cutter access or cutting service; wood glue 1 sheet | 1 | $8.00 estimate | $8.00 | Makerspace / cut service (no link) — | — | Trained adult operator |
| Subtotal | $53.50 | Low-cost path: $41.50 | |||||
| ID | Part & spec | Qty | Unit (typical) | Line (typical) | Where to buy | Cheaper substitute | Adult handling / safety gear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Temperature-controlled soldering iron Pinecil (coax centre and braid to ring terminals) | 1 | $68.50 | $68.50 | sparkfun.com SparkFun $68.50 · checked 2026-10-09 · Not recorded | Crimp ring terminals instead (no iron) | Adult supervision, eye protection, ventilation |
| T2 | Lead-free solder 15 g SparkFun | 1 | $4.95 | $4.95 | sparkfun.com SparkFun $4.95 (single-unit price) · checked 2026-10-09 · Not recorded | — | Wash hands after soldering |
| T3 | Digital multimeter Continuity: centre and shield not shorted; element continuity | 1 | $21.50 | $21.50 | sparkfun.com SparkFun $21.50 · checked 2026-10-09 · Not recorded | Assumed owned in the low total | — |
| T4 | Safety glasses, ANSI Z87.1 Z87+ (high-impact) (rod cutting, soldering) 3M SecureFit SF201AF · clear anti-fog polycarbonate lens marked Z87+ (ANSI Z87.1 impact-rated; 3M spec table on strobelssupply.com and safetycompany.com, read 2026-10-09) | 3 | $5.32 | $15.96 | platt.com Platt Electric Supply $5.32 EA · checked 2026-10-09 · 40 in stock (company-wide) | Any glasses marked Z87+ (ANSI Z87.1 high-impact). Not SparkFun SWG-11046: it lists only CE/EN 1836, a sunglass standard, not impact-rated | — |
| T5 | Laptop with SatDump, SDR++ (free) and Python 3 Windows, Linux or macOS; USB 2.0 port | 1 | $0.00 estimate | $0.00 | School (no link) — | Raspberry Pi 4/5 running SatDump (not priced) | Outdoor use: keep the laptop dry; extension cords rated for outdoor use |
| Subtotal | $110.91 | Low-cost path: $20.91 | |||||
The pack is digital files only. Hardware is bought separately.
These are standards the pack's activities are mapped to by Laue Labs. They are not a certification or endorsement by any standards body or state.
| Activity | NGSS | Common Core / CS |
|---|---|---|
| Lab 1 antenna (wavelength, polarisation) | HS-PS4-1 (wave relationships), HS-PS4-5 (devices using waves to transmit information) | HSN-Q.A.1–3 |
| Lab 2 orbits and pass prediction | HS-ESS1-4 (orbital motion) | HSG-SRT.C.8, HSF-TF |
| Lab 3 link budget | HS-PS4-2 (digital transmission), HS-PS4-5 | HSF-LE.A.4 (logarithms, decibels) |
| Lab 4 Doppler and fitting | HS-PS4-1 | HSS-ID.B.6 (fit a function to data), CSTA 3A-DA-12 |
| Lab 5 images, mission log, legal facts | HS-ESS2-4, HS-ETS1-3 | CSTA 3A-IC-28 (laws and regulations about technology) |
One student or one household.
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One homeschool family, or one co-op group of up to 10 learners with its facilitator(s).
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You may not:
One teacher with up to 30 students in a single class or cohort.
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All licenses: digital files only (hardware not included). Keep Laue Labs attribution on printed handouts. After checkout you get an instant download on the thanks page. License questions, more learners, or site licenses: lance.haney@gmail.com.
