UHF Satcom downlinks receivable in the US

blaze · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2012, 2:06 AM

I've found a number of excellent web resources that list UHF military satellite downlinks, but most of them, for whatever reason, are focused on signals that can be received in Europe. So I've set about cataloging the downlink signals between 244 and 270 MHz that can be easily and regularly received on the East and West coasts of the US.

So far, I've done a sweep of the band in Central NJ and Philadelphia; SF Bay area to follow eventually.

Anyway, for those who are interested, you can find the current list here:

UHF Satellite Downlinks Receivable in the US

blaze · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2012, 3:48 PM

Updated to correct some errors in the "probable satellite" section.

Also, this is missing a few transponders in the 243-245MHz range; stay tuned.

Hope this is useful.

blantonl · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2012, 6:33 PM

Great work Matt - I've been keeping an eye on your page since you launched and it looks very well done.

A while back, I had put together this information on a Wiki page, hopefully you can update it or use it.

UHF-MILSATCOM - The RadioReference Wiki

blaze · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2012, 11:21 PM

Thanks for the kind words Lindsay. I'll definitely check out the Wiki.

I just did a couple more careful sweeps of the band and have added and corrected a few transponders; I think it's pretty complete for the east coast now.

Also, I've taken a few spectrum plots of representative transponders with the R&S, which can be found at Some Example UHF Satellite Downlink Spectrum Plots .

brandon · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2012, 11:32 PM

Hi,
Excellent list and information, Very informative and definitely going in the bookmarks.

For 252.150 it may be shared with CONUS too... It's audible here on the west coast with Brazilian pirate traffic.
252.150 ESE 25 KHz Ch 12 - LANT: FLTSATCOM8 15W?

mancow · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2012, 11:34 PM

I've used the funcube dongle to look at satcom. You can actually see the transponder noise floors like plateaus across the spectrum.

I caught some guys last night (pirates) using AM. I haven't heard that before.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaze

Thanks for the kind words Lindsay. I'll definitely check out the Wiki.

I just did a couple more careful sweeps of the band and have added and corrected a few transponders; I think it's pretty complete for the east coast now.

Also, I've taken a few spectrum plots of representative transponders with the R&S, which can be found at Some Example UHF Satellite Downlink Spectrum Plots .

blaze · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandon

Hi,
Excellent list and information, Very informative and definitely going in the bookmarks.

For 252.150 it may be shared with CONUS too... It's audible here on the west coast with Brazilian pirate traffic.
252.150 ESE 25 KHz Ch 12 - LANT: FLTSATCOM8 15W?

Brandon,

Thanks for the pointer -- I'll definitely check that frequency again here, probably tomorrow.

kma371 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2012, 2:26 PM

Good list. Looking forward to the west coast listings

blaze · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 2:08 AM

I just did a more careful disambiguation between the CONUS and LANT birds (thanks Brandon for pointing out 252.150) and found a few more channels that are shared between them (most of them for FLTSATCOM8 and UFO6).

In some of these cases, the Brazilian pirates are simultaneously having different conversations using the two different satellites on the same channel. Your tax dollars at work.

Anyway, UHF Satellite Downlinks Receivable in the US now updated.

Hope to have west coast listings by Halloween, which should make this a reasonably comprehensive listing for the transponders receivable in the continental US (and Canada, and Mexico, for that matter).

mancow · #10 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 2:37 PM

One I didn't see in the list is 261.875. I'm getting that very strong here near KC with secure traffic.

blaze · #11 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 2:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mancow

One I didn't see in the list is 261.875. I'm getting that very strong here near KC with secure traffic.

Oops, had that one, but somehow managed to delete it. Will update shortly; thanks.

JSTARS03 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 2:58 PM

I get Portuguese pirates on 262.725 in Florida

JSTARS03

blaze · #13 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 3:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSTARS03

I get Portuguese pirates on 262.725 in Florida

JSTARS03

Interesting. No trace of that here, and that frequency doesn't seem to be in any of the NATO band plans.

Can you double check the freq? Also, can you take an approximate bearing?

Thanks

JSTARS03 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 4:11 PM

I will double check, I have it logged on Sept 14, 2012

mancow · #15 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 4:58 PM

You guys probably have this already but it has a nice table of frequencies at page 57.

blaze · #16 (**permalink**) 10-05-2012, 5:04 PM

Minor updates to UHF Satellite Downlinks Receivable in the US posted, and several new traces (and a picture of the portable measurement setup) now in Some Example UHF Satellite Downlink Spectrum Plots

Cheers

blaze · #17 (**permalink**) 10-06-2012, 6:37 PM

Added a new section with background and an East-West listing of active satellites, which will hopefully make this whole thing a bit less incomprehensible to those not already familiar with the jargon and the technology of UHF satellites.

JSTARS03 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-08-2012, 3:42 PM

I did another sweep on Saturday October 6, 2012
and had 260.725 and 263.725 and nothing on 262
I will keep checking but may have been a typo the first time.

JSTARS03 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-08-2012, 3:46 PM

Oct 6, 2012 at 11 AM Local from Florida

243.8150 SS - Waterfall SW
243.9150 Data Modem SW
244.1550 Data ? SW
244.2400 Data SW
245.8000 Pirates SE
249.2350 Data SW
249.2450 Data SW
249.2550 Data SW
249.2650 Data SW
249.2750 Data SW
249.2850 Data SW
249.2950 Data SW
249.3050 Data SW
249.3150 Data SW
249.3250 Data SW
249.3350 Data SW
249.3450 Data SW
249.3550 Data SW
249.4500 Encryption SE
252.1500 Pirates SE
253.5000 Pirates SE
253.7500 Pirates SE
253.8500 Pirates SE
253.9000 Pirates SE
255.4500 Pirates SE
255.5500 Pirates SE
256.6000 Pirates SE
256.8500 Encryption and Data SE/SW
260.6250 Pirates and Encryption SE
260.7250 Encryption and Pirates SE/SW
261.9500 Pirates SE
262.2000 Pirates SE
262.4250 Encryption and Pirates SW
263.5750 Encryption and Pirates SW
263.7250 Encryption and Data SE
263.8250 Encryption SE/SW
263.9250 Encryption and Pirates SE
265.2500 Encryption and Data SW
266.7500 Encryption SW
267.0500 Pirates SE

blaze · #20 (**permalink**) 10-08-2012, 4:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSTARS03

I did another sweep on Saturday October 6, 2012
and had 260.725 and 263.725 and nothing on 262
I will keep checking but may have been a typo the first time.

Thanks JSTARS.

Your list from Saturday has two of particular interest to me. I don't have 244.240, and 261.950 I had in my notes with a ? because of some local terrestrial interference (local ATC simulcast), I'll have to check those again.

Best