I'd like to play a little bit with Sat monitoring, what are some recommended frequencies to program in? Obviously, I know about the AmSats, but I'm looking for things like those UHF "Pirate" Sats, and other stuff that has some activity.
Frequencies?
- Thread starter KK4JW
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Try searching in the 245-260 mhz. region on FM and see what you can here, especially around 255 mhz.
Here are some freqs that I monitor regularly: UHF SATCOM Satellite Downlink Frequencies – solarix.net
prcguy
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255.550 or 255.555 seems to be a hot spot for Brazilian pirates. In this video I was riding in a friends car near Sao Paulo, Brazil listening to Brazilian pirates while my friend translated. The frequency was 255.550 and picked up loud and clear on his mobile 2m/70cm ham antenna.
Russian Meridian satellites carry a bent pipe transponder at 484.250 (North American apogee) and 483.750 (Eurasia Apogee) Both are 43 kHz wide.
The interesting thing about these transponders is that their uplink is smack in the middle of the US 70 cm Ham band. So American hams are routinely being picked up and downlinked. Some piracy is also present, but mostly Italians or the never ending European war propaganda.
These transponders are quite strong so it should not be a problem picking them up with some luck and 70cm antennas. I got a 5 el Yagi exclusively for the 484 transponder.
The same satellites also carry a transponder around 278 and 279 MHz. These are a lot weaker than the ones up in 480 MHz. They do carry some unintentional air traffic and military traffic. Mostly NATO. Also some FM broadcast stations seems to be picked up. Probably harmonics.
John
The interesting thing about these transponders is that their uplink is smack in the middle of the US 70 cm Ham band. So American hams are routinely being picked up and downlinked. Some piracy is also present, but mostly Italians or the never ending European war propaganda.
These transponders are quite strong so it should not be a problem picking them up with some luck and 70cm antennas. I got a 5 el Yagi exclusively for the 484 transponder.
The same satellites also carry a transponder around 278 and 279 MHz. These are a lot weaker than the ones up in 480 MHz. They do carry some unintentional air traffic and military traffic. Mostly NATO. Also some FM broadcast stations seems to be picked up. Probably harmonics.
John
bearcatrp
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Is there a HT antenna specifically for the frequencies to listen to SAT signals? Would think it would help allot instead of a wide band antenna. Or are you folks able to listen with stock antennas?
UHF Satcom does not require much of an antenna. A tuned dipole in the general direction of the equator works good for me. I have installed a reflector and i have it mounted horizontally to cancel out most terrestrial traffic.
John
John
