Satellite Ground Station Kit - Track & Decode AX.25 with Pi 5
Track Amateur Satellites and Decode Live Telemetry with the Raspberry Pi 5 Satellite Ground Station Kit
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
Command a fully automated ground station that locks onto amateur satellites passing overhead, captures their AX.25 radio packets, and decodes real-time telemetry data - from satellite health metrics to amateur radio conversations. This kit equips you with the hardware and intelligence to operate a professional-grade satellite receiving station without chasing dozens of separate components.
What You'll Build
You'll construct a motorized antenna rotator with AZ-EL control, wire the RTL-SDR dongle to the Raspberry Pi 5, and deploy software that downloads TLE orbital data to predict satellite passes. The system automatically aligns the Yagi beam, receives AX.25 packets, and logs telemetry like temperature, battery voltages, and beacon messages from amateur satellites.
What You'll Learn
- Configure an RTL-SDR for UHF reception and IQ sampling on the Raspberry Pi
- Assemble and calibrate an AZ-EL rotator using NEMA 17 steppers and A4988 drivers
- Decode AX.25 protocol frames and extract satellite telemetry
- Build custom Python scripts for pass prediction, motor control, and data logging
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Raspberry Pi 5 4GB | 1 |
| RTL-SDR Dongle | 1 |
| Yagi Antenna 70cm | 1 |
| AZ-EL Rotator | 1 |
| NEMA 17 Stepper | 2 |
| A4988 Driver | 2 |
| 12V 3A PSU | 1 |
| MicroSD Card 32GB | 1 |
| USB-C PSU | 1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
B.Tech ECE/EEE students building final-year satellite communication projects, licensed amateur radio operators expanding into satellite mode, and embedded systems engineers tackling real-world RF challenges. The kit also fits research scholars working on ground station automation and enthusiasts preparing for satellite telemetry collection in university labs or home observatories.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project - accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Scan the QR code to launch the AI companion trained specifically for this ground station build; you can also send a message on WhatsApp and a Compoden engineer will guide you.
Do I need an amateur radio license to use this kit?
No license is required for receiving satellite signals. This kit is receive-only and does not transmit, so you can operate it legally without a ham license.
How accurate is the antenna rotator for tracking fast-moving satellites?
The AZ-EL rotator with NEMA 17 steppers and A4988 microstepping drivers achieves sub-degree angular resolution when calibrated, allowing it to maintain lock on low-earth orbit satellites during a pass.
Which satellites can I receive with the included Yagi antenna?
The 70cm Yagi is tuned for amateur satellites like NOAA weather satellites, the ISS packet repeater, and cubesats broadcasting AX.25 beacons such as BY70-2 or CAS-series satellites.
RTL-SDR tracks and receives AX.25 packets from amateur satellites passing overhead. Decodes telemetry.
What's in this kit
- Raspberry Pi 5 4GB
- RTL-SDR Dongle
- Yagi Antenna 70cm
- AZ-EL Rotator
- NEMA 17 Stepper x2
- A4988 Driver x2
- 12V 3A PSU
- MicroSD Card 32GB
- USB-C PSU
Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items