How to get started on MilSat scanning

[cookiend15]

Hellow fellow scanners. I live in upstate New York and right now I monitor some Civilian and some Military Air comms. I was just wondering if I want to start monitoring MilSat comms how should I go about this considering I have never tried to monitor MilSat comms before at all. What can I expect to hear when monitoring MilSat comms and also what mode AM / FM, etc. do I have to program in with each frequency in order to be able to hear MilSat comms. I have the RS PRO-97 and PRO-2055 scanners. Please let me know so I can start monitoring MilSat comms. Thank you very kindly for any help.

Chris

 

[crayon]

For some pictures of the type of antenna's that you will need:

http://www.milaircomms.com/shack.html

Scroll down to "Portable Military Satellite Setup"

HTH's

 

[cookiend15]

MilSat Antenna

For some pictures of the type of antenna's that you will need:

http://www.milaircomms.com/shack.html

Scroll down to "Portable Military Satellite Setup"

HTH's

Would I be able to receive MilSat comms with the Antenna's that come with the RS PRO-97 and PRO-2055, I'am not really looking into purchasing any more scanning equipment. So my question is will the regular antenna's be able to do the trick.

 

[qc]

Hi, hers some sites that has some information on Satcom http://www.uhf-satcom.com/ and this one sells antennas http://www.time-step.com/products_inmarsat.htm

 

[crayon]

So my question is will the regular antenna's be able to do the trick.

I have already answered that question *and* provided a link with pictures of types of antennas you need. However, just to be clear .. here is the answer to your question in plain english:

No, your regular stock antenna will not work.

Do you know why?

 

[cookiend15]

MilSat Comms

I have already answered that question *and* provided a link with pictures of types of antennas you need. However, just to be clear .. here is the answer to your question in plain english:

No, your regular stock antenna will not work.

Do you know why?

Forget my post all together. I simply was interested in possibly monitoring MilSat comms without needing to purchase any new equipment. I told you in the beginning that I was new to this so how would I have known that I needed to purchase another antenna. As far as I'am concerned you crayon are a real jerk, with your rude comments. I was looking for help with this, and I ran into a real *******. Disreguard the fact the I wanted to learn a new form of scanning, and I asked for help. I hope that you change your ways and your attitude on life real quick you jerk off.

 

[crayon]

Forget my post all together. I simply was interested in possibly monitoring MilSat comms without needing to purchase any new equipment. I told you in the beginning that I was new to this so how would I have known that I needed to purchase another antenna. As far as I'am concerned you crayon are a real jerk, with your rude comments. I was looking for help with this, and I ran into a real *******. Disreguard the fact the I wanted to learn a new form of scanning, and I asked for help. I hope that you change your ways and your attitude on life real quick you jerk off.

lol.

 

[n3ncn]

Would I be able to receive MilSat comms with the Antenna's that come with the RS PRO-97 and PRO-2055, I'am not really looking into purchasing any more scanning equipment. So my question is will the regular antenna's be able to do the trick.

That's not what you asked in the original question. Crayon answered the real question for you in the begining.

 

[eorange]

cookiend15, here's some helpful information to get you going from one who's actually done it. Yes, forget about using the stock antenna, but you can have success with a good quality whip. I have regularly received satcom transmissions using my VR-500 and my excellent Diamond RH-77CA whip. It's definitely not optimal, but it's a cheap start. Do this:

• Get a wide band whip - you'll be receiving transmissions on 240-260 MHz, NFM.
• Go outside. Satcom transmissions are weak.
• Search the above range in 25 kHz steps, but here's the trick...hold your scanner so that the whip is parallel to the ground. This is because satcom transmissions are horizontally polarized and orienting your antenna the same way is necessary.
• Finally, check out the archives (or subscribe to) the hearsat mailing list on mailman.qth.net for daily updates on good freqs to check out.

Hope this helps.

 

[cookiend15]

MilSat comms

Like I said earlier I'am no longer interested in trying to receive MilSat comms due to the fact that I simply asked a question, I tole everybody that I was new to this and 2 members crayon and n3ncn came back with rude remarks. I do want to say thank you to the other members who very nicely answered my question with valid responses rather than rude attacks like the other 2 members felt they needed to do. Please in closing no one respond to this post, I have now decided not to pursue this form of scanning. And again thank you to the members who responded nicely.

Chris

 

[prcguy]

UHF mil sats are not horizontally polarized, their Right Hand Circular Polarized. At any given moment a vertical polarized whip may work better sideways or straight up depending on your surroundings. Even using a conventional yagi cut to 260MHz will loose about 3dB gain due to the polarity incompatibility. Others have posted the basics about necessary antennas for reliable reception but mil sats can be received with less. Since non encrypted transmissions are extremely rare your chances of snagging anything are diminished with less than optimum equipment. On a few occasions I was able to receive UHF mil sats clearly on a PRO-43 hand held with stock rubber duck but this was after it was found with a larger setup.
prcguy

cookiend15, here's some helpful information to get you going from one who's actually done it. Yes, forget about using the stock antenna, but you can have success with a good quality whip. I have regularly received satcom transmissions using my VR-500 and my excellent Diamond RH-77CA whip. It's definitely not optimal, but it's a cheap start. Do this:

• Get a wide band whip - you'll be receiving transmissions on 240-260 MHz, NFM.
• Go outside. Satcom transmissions are weak.
• Search the above range in 25 kHz steps, but here's the trick...hold your scanner so that the whip is parallel to the ground. This is because satcom transmissions are horizontally polarized and orienting your antenna the same way is necessary.
• Finally, check out the archives (or subscribe to) the hearsat mailing list on mailman.qth.net for daily updates on good freqs to check out.

Hope this helps.

 

[crayon]

That's not what you asked in the original question. Crayon answered the real question for you in the begining.

Thanks for the props n3ncn.

One can only imagine the words that cookiend15 would choose to reuse if someone were to actually insult/attack/whatever by telling him that his pathetic little scanner website sucked. Particularly since, as we have already seen, he has used his entire vocabulary.

However, in the future I think it would be good if we would try harder to watch what we say. There is always the chance that another unstable member is not smart enough to understand what is being said and get their overtly sensitve feelings hurt. I would just feel awful if that were to happen again. :roll:

-- edit: I forgot to add that we also need to refrain from questions that are designed to stimulate discovery. They are maddening to those stuck in mental ruts and wish to be spoonfed.

 

[cookiend15]

MilSat comms

Thanks for the props n3ncn.

One can only imagine the words that cookiend15 would choose to reuse if someone were to actually insult/attack/whatever by telling him that his pathetic little scanner website sucked. Particularly since, as we have already seen, he has used his entire vocabulary.

However, in the future I think it would be good if we would try harder to watch what we say. There is always the chance that another unstable member is not smart enough to understand what is being said and get their overtly sensitve feelings hurt. I would just feel awful if that were to happen again. :roll:

-- edit: I forgot to add that we also need to refrain from questions that are designed to stimulate discovery. They are maddening to those stuck in mental ruts and wish to be spoonfed.

That's to bad that you say that about my scanning website considering you dont even have one of your own, and even if you did it would only be a basic website such as mine and not a professional one. Chow

 

[cookiend15]

MilSat comms

Oh and by the way myself and Dave at www.nf2g.com have gotten past that little issue that we had reguarding each others websites. I don't see why the same can be done here. I'am not out to attack anyone honest. I'am on here to have fun talking about scanning and learn more about scanning, and also help out a fellow scanner when I can. I say we just drop this whole thing like it never happened (I'am done with this back and forth garbage attacking each other). Everyone sorry for any problems and lets have some fun scanning.

Chris

 

[wa8pyr]

Like I said earlier I'am no longer interested in trying to receive MilSat comms due to the fact that I simply asked a question, I tole everybody that I was new to this and 2 members crayon and n3ncn came back with rude remarks. I do want to say thank you to the other members who very nicely answered my question with valid responses rather than rude attacks like the other 2 members felt they needed to do. Please in closing no one respond to this post, I have now decided not to pursue this form of scanning. And again thank you to the members who responded nicely.

Nothing like giving up simply because one thinks someone has been rude.

What did he do when the high school teacher yelled at him for not paying attention in class? Give up on the high school diploma? I personally didn't think anyone was rude at all.

 

[wa8pyr]

One can only imagine the words that cookiend15 would choose to reuse if someone were to actually insult/attack/whatever by telling him that his pathetic little scanner website sucked.

In all fairness to cookiend15, not everyone is a master web designer; his web site does meet a very simple requirement: lists the frequencies for his area.

Excessive sensitivity to remarks made on the web, OTOH.....

 

[benjaminarthurt]

Chris,

I'd encourage you to try and build a simple yagi for that 240-260 band, should be that large, and I bet you could build a simple one for like 10 bucks. This thread encouraged me to do the same. I will update you on how it turns out if you like. Theres a post on this site about building a yagi for $5 from parts from walmart. Take a look, antenna building is my favorite part of this hobby.

 

[n3ncn]

Please let me know so I can start monitoring MilSat comms. Thank you very kindly for any help.Chris

Crayon tried to help you by answering YOUR original question which mentioned Nothing about the stock antennas. So why do you feel you are being attacked? Do you not understand the original post YOU wrote?
He tried to help and you freak out on him. WE are all here to help and have fun.
Now take your meds, reread what you posted to begin with and apologise to Crayon, and have a happy Thanks giving. Mark N3NCN

 

[cookiend15]

MilSat

Crayon tried to help you by answering YOUR original question which mentioned Nothing about the stock antennas. So why do you feel you are being attacked? Do you not understand the original post YOU wrote?
He tried to help and you freak out on him. WE are all here to help and have fun.
Now take your meds, reread what you posted to begin with and apologise to Crayon, and have a happy Thanks giving. Mark N3NCN

I will not say I'am sorry to anyone. In my last message I said I was sorry for an trouble I caused and I also said that I do not wish to pursue this form of scanning. And what is with your rude remark saying take your meds. I thought that this whole thing could and should be dropped so that everyone can move on. I was willing to drop the whole thing, however people just want to keep going at it, as was proven by your last post. Now does everyone just want to drop it.

And yes everybody have a great Thanksgiving

Chris

 

[loumaag]

Original question asked and answered a long time ago.

If someone doesn't like the answer they get to a question, perhaps they should more carefully consider the question before asking it. That said, a person who has stated they are "new" to the hobby would not perhaps know the exact right question to ask, and those answering should consider that; however, the inquirer should consider the answers he/she got to the improperly asked question before asking another that is basically the same question again.

Since this topic has nowhere to go but downhill, it is closed.