Shuttle landing freq ????

lacountyscanner · #1 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 08:00 PM

why can't i make it out there right now? damn! is there a frequency i could possibly listen to?

Eng74 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 08:13 PM

The Edwards Radio Clubused to have it at 169.400. You needed around the base area to pick it up. JPL also used to do it too during the 80's and 90's.

lacountyscanner · #3 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 08:16 PM

so im probably too far away then ?

from: san dimas,ca to: edwards air force base - Google Maps

Eng74 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 08:19 PM

Yes. check in the space forum they might have the shuttles UHF com freqs. you might be able to get them.

brandon · #5 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 08:37 PM

When the Space Shuttle landed at Edwards a few months ago, they used 259.700.
Also plug in 279.000 and 135.825 to hear the NASA support aircraft.
NASA TV audio can be heard on 147.150.

Unfortunately I cannot confirm these freqs today since I am not at home and forgot to leave the scanner on for remote control

Open the squelch on 259.700 to make sure you don't miss anything!

brandon · #6 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 08:45 PM

I would plug in 259.700 now you should start hearing comms soon

DPD1 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 09:20 PM

That was probably the most stuff I've heard on UHF out of all the west coast landings. I picked up the first thing at about 300 miles out. Guys on the east coast were saying they got stuff on UHF on the last orbit too. Also, biggest pressure wave I recall out of all the landings... Very strong.

eorange · #8 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPD1

Also, biggest pressure wave I recall out of all the landings... Very strong.

You mean like a shock wave? Where the heck were you standing??

DPD1 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 11:21 PM

Right in L.A... It hits a large area.

BenJJ · #10 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPD1

That was probably the most stuff I've heard on UHF out of all the west coast landings. I picked up the first thing at about 300 miles out. Guys on the east coast were saying they got stuff on UHF on the last orbit too. Also, biggest pressure wave I recall out of all the landings... Very strong.

Okay, let's back up a second. Since I've never seen a Shuttle land I don't have a clue here. Is this "pressure wave" something you can see around the Shuttle, or something you can hear (like a sonic boom)?

BenJJ · #11 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPD1

That was probably the most stuff I've heard on UHF out of all the west coast landings. I picked up the first thing at about 300 miles out. Guys on the east coast were saying they got stuff on UHF on the last orbit too. Also, biggest pressure wave I recall out of all the landings... Very strong.

What kind of antenna were you using to pick them up at 300 miles distance?

spectr17 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 02:06 AM

Double boomer when the shuttle breaks the atmosphere. I didn't hear or feel it tonight, I was driving at the time. It's enough to get a startle response out of some folks.

jrholm · #13 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 04:33 AM

Dual sonic booms when the shuttle starts it's approach to Edwards it could be heard all over LA county.

lacountyscanner · #14 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 01:23 PM

well i never did find anything on my scanner. thats alright though. instead i just stepped outside and enjoyed the sounds. did not see it though. back in july 2005 i actually did see it doing one of the big turns in the sky. i was in the city of la verne at the time. 5 am or so. within about 6 minutes if i remember correctly it was landing at edwards air force base. i better make sure though i see it at least once land in person. hopefully weather will be crap in florida for any remaining missions.

Is retiring the shuttle really the best and/or only option? 5 years is a long time with no way of getting up there unless we buy a ticket from Russia. as for the space station. i find it somewhat sad that in 2020. thats it.

DPD1 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenJJ

What kind of antenna were you using to pick them up at 300 miles distance?

Just one of our UHF/VHF Air Omni... But they were probably at 80k at the time.

The shuttle: http://www.dpdproductions.com/temp/d...all_091109.mp3

And a little of the recon: http://www.dpdproductions.com/temp/d...945_091109.mp3

Seems like I should get the 180 and 90 calls, since I can get aircraft at that altitude from there normally, but for some reason I don't. It might be the angle that their antenna is at, at that moment.

mattfox27 · #16 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 07:31 PM

Ya i was in culver city...The Sonic BOOM was insane that was the loudest one i have heard since i was a kid...It was funny i was listening to AM news radio and they were saying we should herar the sonic boom anytime then BOOM and everyone in the building i was at came running out, they thought it was a bomb or something...it shook the whole building it was crazy...

Eng74 · #17 (**permalink**) 09-12-2009, 10:11 PM

The double sonic boom sounds differrent because of the weather conditions. I don't know if that is true or not but I have heard over the years. I have been out to many landings at Edwards over the years. When they come down the from the north it has rocked the house a couple of times. They have about 6 flights left so I would bet that half will end up out here.

BenJJ · #18 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPD1

Just one of our UHF/VHF Air Omni... But they were probably at 80k at the time.

The shuttle: http://www.dpdproductions.com/temp/d...all_091109.mp3

And a little of the recon: http://www.dpdproductions.com/temp/d...945_091109.mp3

Seems like I should get the 180 and 90 calls, since I can get aircraft at that altitude from there normally, but for some reason I don't. It might be the angle that their antenna is at, at that moment.

Even though I routinely hear LEO QSOs from further away than 300 miles, I'm still amazed at receptions at 100s of miles distance (or further). Yeah, your MP3 STS128 audio was rock solid; sounds like they were transmitting from down the street, not 300 miles away!

DPD1 · #19 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenJJ

Even though I routinely hear LEO QSOs from further away than 300 miles, I'm still amazed at receptions at 100s of miles distance (or further). Yeah, your MP3 STS128 audio was rock solid; sounds like they were transmitting from down the street, not 300 miles away!

What's interesting is that I heard them talking a lot on TV maybe 2-3 minutes before that first one I got, but I didn't pick up that part at all. I'm pretty sure the radio was on, because there were people on the east coast that heard it on the last orbit. Only thing I can think of is that they're going so fast, they go from no signal to full strength in just a couple minutes.

mattfox27 · #20 (**permalink**) 09-13-2009, 03:24 PM

Can you actually go to Edwards and watch it land? Where do you go?