What type of antenna does Mir use and how is it polarized?
Mir has a simple dual band (2 m/70 cm) ground plane external antenna which was installed by the cosmonauts during a spacewalk. It’s linear polarized, however Mir’s orientation changes as it passes over your location. So it’s hard to predict which way it will be aimed – towards you, away from you, or at an angle. In addition Faraday rotation tends to twist the polarity of signals to and from space. Experienced hams prefer circular polarized antennas since they give the best overall performance. It doesn’t matter whether your antennas are left hand or right hand circular, but most ham setups are right hand circular for compatibility with other ham radio satellites.
