Readiness: AMSAT CubeSatSim — CubeSat Simulator (hardware v2.1.0)
Verdict: Ready with caveats · 2026-07-19 · est. parts cost $185–$230
The system is implementable, but sourcing is fragmented across major electronics distributors (DigiKey/Mouser) and hobbyist retail channels (Adafruit/SparkFun). Specialist UHF transceiver modules must be sourced from niche retailers. Two RF passives require standard substitutions due to stock or cataloging issues, but acceptable alternatives are confirmed. This is a cold check establishing a baseline for the v2.1.0 hardware.
Action required
| Part |
Problem |
Recommended action |
| SDWL1608C13NJSTFM01 |
Out of stock (16-week lead time). |
Use substitute Murata LQW18AN13NJ00D. |
| 0603CG160J500NT |
No exact catalog matches found for part number. |
Use substitute YAGEO CC0603JRNPO9BN160. |
| DRA818V (U7) |
Snapshot requires VHF variant; system context requires UHF. |
Order DRA818U (UHF 400-470MHz) for compatibility with SR105U. |
Parts
1. Integrated Circuits and Modules (Active)
| Part |
Spec/Package |
Status |
Stock |
Price |
Source |
| Raspberry Pi Pico |
PICO-PKG-NO_DEBUG |
Available |
High |
$3.99 |
Micro Center |
| SR105U UHF Module |
SR_FRS_0W5 |
Available |
10+ |
$12.00 |
DWMZone |
| DRA818V Transceiver |
DORJI_DRA818V |
Available |
10+ |
$12.88 |
Tindie |
| INA219AIDR |
SOIC-8 |
Active |
30,391 |
$2.12 |
DigiKey |
| INA219 Breakout |
Purple Board |
Available |
High |
$7.87 |
Mouser |
| MPU6050 Breakout |
1x08 0.1" Header |
Available |
High |
$12.90 |
DigiKey |
| BME280 Breakout |
1x04 0.1" Header |
Available |
High |
$12.54 |
Mouser |
2. RF Components and Antennas
| Part |
Spec/Package |
Status |
Stock |
Price |
Source |
| ANT-916-CHP-T |
SMT Chip |
Active |
2,716 |
$3.61 |
DigiKey |
| Vertical SMA |
SMA-VERT |
Active |
100+ |
$1.75 |
DigiKey |
| 13nH Inductor |
0603 |
Out of Stock |
0 |
— |
DigiKey |
| 18 pF Capacitor |
0603 NPO/C0G |
Active |
46,571 |
$0.16 |
DigiKey |
| 16 pF Capacitor |
0603 NPO/C0G |
Not Found |
— |
— |
— |
3. Diodes and Protection
| Part |
Spec/Package |
Status |
Stock |
Price |
Source |
| 1N5817 |
Axial Schottky |
Active |
1,847 |
$0.20 |
DigiKey |
| BAT20J |
SOD-323 |
Active |
516 |
$0.39 |
DigiKey |
| 1N4148 |
Axial Signal |
Active |
997,222 |
$0.10 |
DigiKey |
| BYW27-400 |
Axial Rectifier |
Active |
4,848 |
$0.43 |
DigiKey |
| RHEF100-2 |
PTC Fuse (PTH) |
Active |
11,527 |
$0.84 |
DigiKey |
4. Passives (Resistors and Capacitors)
| Part |
Spec/Package |
Status |
Stock |
Price |
Source |
| Resistors (All Values) |
PTH Axial |
Ready |
High |
~$0.10 |
DigiKey |
| Resistors (100 Ω) |
0805 SMD |
Ready |
High |
~$0.10 |
DigiKey |
| 47 µF Capacitor |
CAP-PTH-SMALL |
Ready |
High |
~$0.45 |
DigiKey |
| 100 nF Capacitor |
CAP-PTH-SMALL |
Ready |
High |
~$0.15 |
DigiKey |
| 0.1 µF Capacitor |
0603 SMD |
Ready |
High |
~$0.10 |
DigiKey |
| DNI Tuning Resistors |
Various |
DNI |
— |
— |
— |
5. Connectors and Electromechanical
| Part |
Spec/Package |
Status |
Stock |
Price |
Source |
| Keystone 1024 |
Single AA Clip |
Active |
1,092 |
$4.97 |
DigiKey |
| Keystone 1012 |
Double AA Holder |
Active |
12,365 |
$8.02 |
DigiKey |
| Micro JST Headers |
2-pin 2.0mm |
Available |
High |
$2.99 |
Vetco |
| 40-Pin Header |
2x20 Female Tall |
Available |
High |
$2.95 |
PiShop USA |
| Audio Jack (SC1464) |
3.5mm PG203J |
Active |
7,568 |
$3.99 |
DigiKey |
| Audio Jack (SJ1-2503A) |
3.5mm Jack |
Active |
32,733 |
$0.74 |
DigiKey |
| USB-C Breakout |
Sparkfun 1x06 |
Available |
10+ |
$4.95 |
Sparkfun |
| Pushbutton |
RA SPST Tactile |
Available |
High |
$0.16 |
DigiKey |
6. Indicators (LEDs)
| Part |
Spec/Package |
Status |
Stock |
Price |
Source |
| White (LED1) |
3mm/5mm |
Ready |
High |
~$0.20 |
DigiKey |
| Yellow (LED2) |
3mm/5mm |
Ready |
High |
~$0.20 |
DigiKey |
| Green (LED3) |
3mm/5mm |
Ready |
High |
~$0.20 |
DigiKey |
| Blue (LED4) |
3mm/5mm |
Ready |
High |
~$0.20 |
DigiKey |
| Red (LED5) |
3mm/5mm |
Ready |
High |
~$0.20 |
DigiKey |
Substitutes
| For part |
Substitute |
Differences |
Judgment |
| SDWL1608C13NJSTFM01 |
LQW18AN13NJ00D |
Identical: 13nH, 600mA, 130 mΩ. |
Acceptable |
| 0603CG160J500NT |
CC0603JRNPO9BN160 |
Identical: 16pF, 50V, C0G/NP0. |
Acceptable |
| DRA818V (U7) |
DRA818U |
Frequency: UHF (400-470MHz) instead of VHF (134-174MHz). |
Required |
Verify any substitute against its datasheet before ordering.
Other dependencies
- PCB Fabrication: Three separate boards designed to Raspberry Pi Zero dimensions (65mm x 30mm); Gerbers required for manufacture (not checked).
- Firmware: Requires Raspberry Pi Pico SDK v1.5+ and Raspberry Pi OS Legacy for controller compatibility (not checked).
- I2C Addressing: Manual solder jumper configuration required on Solar Board INA219 modules (0x40, 0x41, 0x44, 0x45).
- Fabrication: 2-layer PCB stackup required for USB-C pad compatibility.
Watch list
- UHF Modules (SR105U/DRA818U): These are specialized RF components available primarily through hobbyist/specialist retailers; stock is less stable than general distributors.
- Custom Inductor (13nH): RF filter performance is sensitive to this value; if the Murata substitute goes out of stock, any 0603 13nH inductor with ≥ 600mA rating is required.