Daniel Estévez EA4GPZ/M0HXM (more info https://destevez.net/about/) has built ground station based on LimeSDR Mini. The signal from SDR is amplified first with GALI-84 driver amplifier and then with a purposed 100W amplifier for UMTS . For downlink Daniel uses LNB.
Full description of these project with much useful information you can find on: https://www.crowdsupply.com/lime-micro/limesdr-mini/updates/field-report-limesdr-mini-satellite-ground-station

Support Daniel’s work: https://destevez.net/donate/