Meteor M2 decoding software

[bobruzzo]

I remember using a suite of 3 programs, they all came bundled together with Orbitron, SDR sharp and one other (to acquire image). I don't remember, but I want to start playing around with decoding the Meteor M2 satellite. I see that the original satellite is no longer working but there are now TLE's for "Meteor M2-2 and M2-3". I got Orbitron working specifically for that one satellite. Since the program is old and no longer supported, the TLE folder is obsolete and the program wouldnt update. But there is a website (USRADIOGUY) that shows how to get it working right. Any way its been a few years since I decoded satellites. What program can I use to decode and render images while running Orbitron and sdr sharp? There were a few out there that you feed pre recorded audio into but I want to do it real time like I used to. Like I said I have Orbitron working fine, but need help with what settings to use for sdr sharp and a third program to capture and decode the images.

 

[merlin]

I use WXTrack for all the tracking. All you can do with SDR sharp is tune to the downlink frequencies and port dada to a virtual cable.
From there, I use FLDigi for decoding fax.
I get the live images as they are transmited from the satellit(s)
This is still older software but easy to update Keplers. there are newer versions of SDR sharp, you can get the latest from their site.

 

[bobruzzo]

I was able to locate and run the "METEOR-GIS" software suite, which contains Orbitron and sdr sharp, both programs all set up for the Meteor M2-2 satellite. But I keep getting confused with the TIME the satellite passes. I am getting information from the N2YO satellite website. The section "Standard time/AM PM time" where you click to change to either. It gives 2 different times so I dont know which one to go by. Same with "UTC/Local time", I don't know how to set these and keep getting wrong data. I want to use regular time for my area (Eastern) but the "Standard time/AM PM time" is giving me 2 different times. So my question is how do I set these links on the N2YO Satellite page for the correct time in my local area?

 

[KJ4DHF]

It will make two passes on Feb 3rd 1 at 9am and 1 at 10:40 at the stated observation coordinates.

 

[bobruzzo]

It will make two passes on Feb 3rd 1 at 9am and 1 at 10:40 at the stated observation coordinates.

OK so the "standard time" and "local time" circled in RED in the photo are how its supposed to be set.

 

[KJ4DHF]

If you want to use Standard/local times yes.

 

[merlin]

N2YO is live. The time window you can set for 12/24 Hr either local or coordinated universal time.
My observation is it is accurate to within seconds. If I see differences with WXTrack, I update the Keplarian files and usually spot on.

 

[bobruzzo]

N2YO is live. The time window you can set for 12/24 Hr either local or coordinated universal time.
My observation is it is accurate to within seconds. If I see differences with WXTrack, I update the Keplarian files and usually sp

 

[bobruzzo]

I use N2YO cause its the only place I know of to get the info I need. Using the MeteorGIS suite is a pain cause not everything works right. When I start SDR sharp, the radio section defaults to AM not WFM like its supposed to. I think the program sees the freq (137.1) as an airband freq and defaults to AM. So I need to go in and change it every time. To complicate things there seems to be 3 Meteor satellites, M2-2, M2-3 and M2-4......I dont know which one to pick. I tried to use M2-2 this afternoon cause the overhead pass looked ok but I didnt hear a thing. The other 2 seem to pass over here at times that I am not at my desk, like 2am. So I am looking for an easier way to try this.

 

[KJ4DHF]

Meteor GIS when all setup will turn your sdr on/off for you and let Orbitron do the tracking it will all be automatic. After you go thru all the setup you can simulate tracking with Orbitron to make sure SDR turns on and off automatically like it suppose to.

 

[KJ4DHF]

Doing a little reading M2-2 is dead. You may try M2-3 and M2-4.

https://usradioguy.com/meteor-satellite/#tle

 

[RichM]

I use Satdump for all my WX satellite tracking and decoding. I find it far superior to those other programs, some of which are very outdated (all of which I have used In the past). Satdump is a very sophisticated all in one solution. I highly recommend trying it, you won’t be disappointed. Good luck.

 

[bobruzzo]

I use Satdump for all my WX satellite tracking and decoding. I find it far superior to those other programs, some of which are very outdated (all of which I have used In the past). Satdump is a very sophisticated all in one solution. I highly recommend trying it, you won’t be disappointed. Good luck.

OK Frustrated again with Orbitron so I deleted it. I saw the satellite in both Orbitron and on the N2YO website for Meteor M2-3 in same exact spot, but still not corresponding with the TIME! I downloaded Satdump and it looks like I set things up correctly. But not sure how to use it. Do i have to get the audio from satellite and save it as a .wav file then feed it into the program? Or does it track satellite in real time and render an image? Not sure if I need SDR Sharp? I hate farting around with local time, UTC etc...too confusing. At least using the N2YO site. No matter what I set the time formats for it never works. I am trying to track Meteor M2-3.......not sure if this is the best one? M3-4 seems to only pass by here at super early morning hours when I am not awake. OK in "Offline processing" I have it set to "METEOR M2-x LRPT 72k" And under "Recording" I see my RTL-SDR dongle, I dont know what to choose in "Processing", So thats about it.

 

[KJ4DHF]

Here is a screenshot using Meteor GIS,Orbitron , N2YO and HRD satellite tracking for passes as you can see they all are predicting the same time (UTC) as I used UTC time. You must be missing a step somewhere in your setup of Meteor GIS.

 

[bobruzzo]

I noticed Orbitron doesnt keep my lat/long or grid square settings. I just opened it and settings are different. I am not sure what else I need to check. Also dont know if I need to use 137.1 or 137.9 I keep seeing conflicting information online.

 

[KJ4DHF]

I would start with 137.9.
After you fill in your name and grid did you add it to list?

 

[bobruzzo]

I would start with 137.9.
After you fill in your name and grid did you add it to list?
View attachment 196442

OK I will put in 137.9 and added to list. I am using Dimension 4 to keep my PC clock accurate. I check and it is exact. I just have trouble figuring out what time to set when satellite is going to be close enough for a good copy but N2YO is too confusing with the way to set time. I cant get the right combination of The 2 settings circled in RED. I want to use the regular local time here in Rhode Island. But those settings always give confusing settings. So when I look for satellite, on both Orbitron and N2YO, the satellites are in same exact position, but in a different area according to what the time says its supposed to be nearby. Or I can't hear the signal. I dont know what I am missing.

the circled

 

[bobruzzo]

For example in the attached pic.....the 2 red circled settings, if I leave them as pictured, the satellite should pass nearby (with reasonable signal)
at 02:38 PM. These settings too confusing cause even tho they say "local time" " it still shows UTC below under "Start" "Max Altitude" and "End"
But if I change those settings I still get UTC displaying!

 

[KJ4DHF]

 

[KJ4DHF]

The 02:38pm is the time of highest altitude. Yes they add Zero in front of the time am and pm