Satellite tracking

[nexus]

For those of you who are monitoring communication satellites mainly used by military or pirates etc. in the 250-340mhz range, what tracking software if any are you using? And if not, how do you know when and where to point your antenna?

I'm into OSCAR (orbiting satellites carrying amateur radio) and work AO-51, SO-50, and AO-27 as often as I can. I'm using a java based tracking software, but of course it doesn't list anything but amateur satellites. So I'm curious to know what everyone is using to track these satellites.

 

[eorange]

I stopped using all PC tracking software and the associated task of finding and updating element sets.

Instead, I've been using www.heavens-above.com for about 2 years now to track AO-51. It's dead-on every time. Of course, at this point I'm only interested in the amateur satellites which are on that site.

That said, I prefer satscape for PC software.

 

[n4yek]

I use this tracking software: (its called Orbitron)
http://www.stoff.pl/
Very nice program and has numourous sattelite files that you can update with a click of a button.

 

[jonny290]

orbitron rules, all the rest drools



I don't tie it in to anything, I don't have 1k for a rotor so I just spin the alliance 110 by hand.

shortish yagis help, 6 elements 2m and 440, about 35 degree -3db beamwidth, not too picky

going with 8 element CP (switchable) as soon as i can find a coax relay that's worth my money. should keep my beamwidth reasonable enough to manually rotate but give me a little better f/b and gain

 

[eorange]

Orbitron looks pretty nice. It looks like it can get automatic TLE updates - is that true?

I thought all official TLE updates were only available from that one site (I cannot remember the name now), but I am registered there. Shows you how long it's been since I've retrieved TLEs.

I think I'll give Orbitron a try.

 

[k9rzz]

I use Orbitron as well, BUT the satellites in this freq. range are geostationary, not in low orbit. Peak on the sig (if you can) and lock it down.

 

[KB8UYC]

I use the Satellite tracking that comes inside of HAM RADIO DELUXE

 

[nexus]

I stopped using all PC tracking software and the associated task of finding and updating element sets.

Instead, I've been using www.heavens-above.com for about 2 years now to track AO-51. It's dead-on every time. Of course, at this point I'm only interested in the amateur satellites which are on that site.

That said, I prefer satscape for PC software.

Satscape is the java based software I was refering to above. I use it for all of the amsat stuff. I don't think my question was really answered from all of these posts though. Because I'm still confused as to where and when I should point my antenna.

FYI everyone, I'm using a BCD396T and an ARROW satellite yagi. It's VHF 3 elements, crossed with UHF 7 elements. Hand-held yagi, made for AMSAT operation. I know its not resonant. The 2 meter elements are tuned for 145mhz and the UHF for 435mhz. But I figure I should still be able to pick something up.

I just don't know when I should scan and where to point this thing. I mean are these sat's you guys listen to geosync orbit or moving?

 

[thadood]

What kind of Card would i need for use with Orbitron Software and how much would it cost , also antenna's ??

 

[eorange]

FYI everyone, I'm using a BCD396T and an ARROW satellite yagi. It's VHF 3 elements, crossed with UHF 7 elements. Hand-held yagi, made for AMSAT operation. I know its not resonant. The 2 meter elements are tuned for 145mhz and the UHF for 435mhz. But I figure I should still be able to pick something up.

I just don't know when I should scan and where to point this thing. I mean are these sat's you guys listen to geosync orbit or moving?

Because of this thread, I just started using Orbitron, which has easier TLE updates and seems more stable. But I still like the 3-D look of satscape.

Anyway, that's my setup exactly - the Arrow yagi and a handheld. To date, I've only tracked AO-51 with this setup, and it's pretty easy. Easy because I know what satellite to track, and heavens-above tells me when it rises, and from what direction, the peak time and direction, and when it "sets". Swinging that beam around by hand even somewhat haphazardly lets me lock onto the signal.

As far as other sats, I'd have to know which ones offer a chance of hearing something audible. Then I'd take the name of the sat and find out the above info either from heavens-above (if it's on there), or from the PC software.

Anyone...?

 

[n4yek]

Because of this thread, I just started using Orbitron, which has easier TLE updates and seems more stable. But I still like the 3-D look of satscape.

If you want 3-D lookings maps, download these:
http://www.stoff.pl/orbitron/maps/coloured-hr.zip
http://www.stoff.pl/orbitron/maps/contour-hr.zip
extract it to Orbitron\Data directory. Then run Orbitron, enter the setup (Alt+F5) and choose your new map in World map configuration panel.
Note: there is a little 'Lock' symbol that you might have to press on the World map panel that keeps you from inadvertently changing the map by accident.

Anyway, that's my setup exactly - the Arrow yagi and a handheld. To date, I've only tracked AO-51 with this setup, and it's pretty easy. Easy because I know what satellite to track, and heavens-above tells me when it rises, and from what direction, the peak time and direction, and when it "sets". Swinging that beam around by hand even somewhat haphazardly lets me lock onto the signal.

Orbitron can predict the passes also, just click on 'Prediction' on the bottom tabs, highlight the satellite you want from the column on the right side of the screen, then click on 'Predict'.
It will give you Time, direction for the 'rise', 'peak', and 'set' of the satellite you choose.

 

[jonny290]

Yep, I just run Orbitron for the birds I care about and copy/paste the passes data and print it out. Good for camping/hilltopping/etc. (although I do confess the last time I RX'd birds on a camping trip, I nerded out with orbitron on the laptop with preloaded TLE's.)

 

[nexus]

I ended up downloading Orbitron, I see they have a lot of different birds listed in there. Thats cool. Now I guess my next thing is to find out what frequencies I should tune to to listen. What do you listen to Jonny?

I'm really interested in hearing some military traffic.

 

[oZscan]

nexus - mil traffic on geo sats

Orbitron looks good but WXtrack is what I've always used.



http://www.david-taylor.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/software/wxtrack.htm



regards

 

[nexus]

oZscan, is there a list of frequencies for geo sats?

 

[mancow]

Mine doesn't even have any director elements. It's just the crossed X style with the fold out reflector elements.

I am right in the middle of the US so I keep mine at about 45 degrees elevation and pointing south south east.

I would think you would hear something with that Arrow but I don't know for sure. I've never tried with anything other than an antenna made for that range. Before I got the real antenna I made a cross yagi style using cut up tape measure material and 1/8" brazing rods as director elements. I tried to make a phasing harness using some plans off the web. I didn't have any test equipment to actually tune it but it did work really well. I got a signal on the regular pirate freq. of 255.550 the second I hooked it up and pointed it south at 45 degrees up. At that time I was using a BC250D with no preamp and the antenna was on a camera tripod in my house. It wasn't even pointing through a window.

The one I have now is in the attic but it still works ok. I'm trying to get around to finishing the ruggedized outside model. I'm making that from aluminum and PVC parts. I wish I had a way to tune the phasing of the elements. That's the main problem so far. The plan is to mount it out on the tower permanenetly.