Satellites: Difference between revisions
m →Nations with satellite launching capability: peeping tom |
m This has 1) Nothing to do with satellites 2) nothing to do with hacking. Unless you have some evidence that people who have tracked satellites have had laser beams in their eyes? |
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== Watching == | == Watching == | ||
Revision as of 11:23, 22 November 2006
Heavens Above lists the orbits for most satellites. Look up the orbits visible from your area.
Wired article on Amateur satellite tracking
If you're going to try out satellite tracking, I would recommend you start with a LEO (low earth orbiting) or the ISS (International Space station) which are easier, and work your way out further upon success.
Nations with satellite launching capability
- Canada
- USA
- France
- Britain
- Soviet Union
- Israel
- South Africa
- Australia
- China
- India
- Pakistan
- North Korea
- Japan
- Switzerland
- Egypt
- Brazil
- Cuba
- Iran
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Ethiopia
Watching
Some satellites ("birds" in slang) are visible with the human eye, and some may require binoculars. Make sure you have a good idea of its orbit, and time in your sky, so you can train your eye to follow the general path for when it actually does become visible.
Listening
Find the downlink frequency for the amateur radio satellite you're tracking, and adjust it accordingly on your frequency scanner/radio. A directional antenna is preferred, however the standard "rubber ducky" (resistor) antenna may work.
Transmitting
If you have a radio with a moveable Yagi-Uda antenna, and an amateur radio licence for the uplink frequency, you can try to point your antenna in that direction. You have to be quick to transmit off a satellite, as usually the passes go by quite quickly.
