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Satellite Radio Frequencies


Tyneside, UK
2024 Dec 5
Thursday, Day 340

Curated by:





















VHF and low UHF from US Government & Military Satellites

The US operates many satellites, using frequencies in bands from VHF and all the way upwards. The list here is concerned mainly with VHF and the low UHF frequencies up to about 400 MHz. It specifically does not include the many fixed-bandplan VHF (250-300 MHz) transponders carried by communications satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

There are several developmental satellites operating in the 136-138 MHz satellite band as well as a number using coherent frequency pairs near 150 and 400 MHz. There are also the AFSATCOM channels near 243 MHz and a number of VHF data transmissions from geosynchronous orbit and SDS satellies in highly-elliptical, high inclination orbits.


Freq (MHz) Satellite Transmission Notes
136.260
ERS 20
1967-040D
2768
AM - tone (unstable) USAF test satellite: High orbit, visible for long periods of time - (information contributed by Michael D Kenny)
136.440
ERS 15
1966-077C
2412
AM with 1.3 kHz tone Military satellite: Incorrectly catalogued by NORAD as SECOR 7 - (information contributed by Michael D Kenny)
136.800
Solrad 7B
1965-016D
1291
AM IRIG telemetry channels Solar radiation studies (launched 1969): Continuous transmission - (information contributed by Michael D Kenny)
137.080
OPS 7898-2
1971-110C
5680
CW US military satellite: (information contributed by Michael D Kenny)
137.380
OPS 7613-1
1969-082B
4256
Mixed modulation (PAM/FM/AM) Navigation technology: (information contributed by Michael D Kenny)
137.410
OPS 7613-6
1969-082E
4237
CW USAF test satellite: (information contributed by Michael D Kenny)
149.979
Oscar 29
1987-080B
18362
Modulated CW carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Maintenance frequency - Coherent transmission at 399.944 MHz (has been heard to transmit tones similar to the other OSCAR satellite but 2003 December 28 - this frequency was occupied by a modulated 'buzzing' signal - No longer transmitting as of 2008 Feb 1
149.979
Oscar 31
1988-074B
19420
FM telemetry (tones) +/- 2.4 kHz from carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Maintenance frequency - Coherent transmission at 399.944 MHz - Occasionally changes between this frequency and the operational one - Sometime between 2007 Dec 21 and 2008 Feb 7, the normal transmissions at both frequencies were replaced with a highly unstable CW carrier (wandering frequency + variations in strength)
149.988
Oscar 27
1987-080A
18361
FM telemetry (tones) +/- 2.4 kHz from carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 399.968 MHz - Occasionally changes between this frequency and the maintenance one) - No longer transmitting as of 2008 Jan 1
149.988
Oscar 23
1988-033A
19070
FM telemetry (tones) +/- 2.4 kHz from carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 399.968 MHz - Occasionally changes between this frequency and the maintenance one)
149.988
Oscar 32
1988-033B
19071
FM telemetry (tones) +/- 2.4 kHz from carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 399.968 MHz - Occasionally changes between this frequency and the maintenance one)
149.988
Oscar 25
1988-074A
19419
FM telemetry (tones) +/- 2.4 kHz from carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 399.968 MHz - Occasionally changes between this frequency and the maintenance one)
150.012
Unknown

'Wandering' CW Unidentified satellite: Satellite in GEO, possibly graveyard orbit, also transmits 400.032 MHz
150.012
Geosat
1985-021A
15595
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Oceanography - wave height measurement: Detected being switched on and off over Europe, not continuously active. Sometime around 2007, transmissions ceased to be detected but Geosat was subsequently determined to be transmitting continuously while in sunlight. Coherent transmission at 400.032 MHz
150.012
RADCAL
1993-041A
22698
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Radar calibration: Radar Calibration satellite - Coherent transmission at 400.032 MHz, operation is intermittent
150.012
GFO
1998-007A
25157
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Oceanography - wave height measurement: Geosat Follow On satellite - Coherent transmission at 400.032 MHz and also transmitted at 2207.5 MHz. Ceased to transmit 2008 November.
150.012
ARGOS
1999-008A
25634
CW - Doppler tracking beacon USAF space experiments: Coherent transmission at 400.032 MHz - Ceased to transmit 2003
150.012
USA 147
1999-067A
25991
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Military meteorological satellite: Defense Meteorological Satellite Program - Also transmits at 2207.535 MHz, 2237.5 MHz and 2252.5 MHz, and 400.032 MHz - Post-launch testing revealed interference with other equipment from the 150/400 MHz transmitters so they remained inactive (apart from further testing) until 2006 Aug 14
150.012
Picosat 9
2001-043B
26930
CW - Doppler tracking beacon USAF Space Test Program (STEP): Coherent transmission at 400.032 MHz - Ceased to transmit late-2004
243.695
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 1, no longer transmitting.
243.695
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 1, no longer transmitting.
243.705
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 2, no longer transmitting.
243.705
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 2, no longer transmitting.
243.710
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 3, no longer transmitting.
243.710
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 3, no longer transmitting.
243.715
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 4, no longer transmitting.
243.715
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 4, no longer transmitting.
243.720
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 5, no longer transmitting.
243.720
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 5, no longer transmitting.
243.725
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 6, no longer transmitting.
243.725
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 6, no longer transmitting.
243.730
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 7, no longer transmitting.
243.730
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 7, no longer transmitting.
243.735
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 8, no longer transmitting.
243.735
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 8, no longer transmitting.
243.740
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
Channel usually occupied by an unmodulated carrier US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 9, no longer transmitting.
243.740
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
Channel usually occupied by an unmodulated carrier US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 9, no longer transmitting.
243.745
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 10, no longer transmitting.
243.745
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 10, no longer transmitting.
243.750
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 11, no longer transmitting.
243.750
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 11, no longer transmitting.
243.760
USA 125
1996-038A
23945
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 12, no longer transmitting.
243.760
USA 137
1998-005A
25148
CW - RTTY-style data US comms and intelligence gathering: AFSATCOM Channel 12, no longer transmitting.
243.825
USA 99
1994-009A
22988
Spread spectrum signal - +/- 64 kHz from centre frequency Comms: Tentative identification (may be more than one satellite) in geosynchronous orbit, can be heard with relatively simple receiver/antenna setup - in CW mode, it sounds like trickling water!
250.075
USA 162
2001-046A
26948
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite near 144° west longitude, possibly including communications: One of a triplet of reported frequencies carrying similar signals from satellite in geosynchronous orbit, exact frequency not known - also reported to transmit at 256.475, 263.225, 267.550 MHz and 2242.5 MHz
250.150
USA 76
1991-076D
21808
CW carrier detectable at 250.158 MHz then a series weaker carriers up and down from this frequency at 9.6 kHz intervals between approximate limits of 250.0 and 250.25 MHz US Military ocean surveillance: Navy Ocean Surveillance System, transmission is probably from a secondary payload - Transmission intermittent - First reported 2005 September then went into a period of silence - (the listed satellite is one of a cluster)
250.158
USA 121
1996-029D
23862
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US Military ocean surveillance: Navy Ocean Surveillance System, transmission is probably from a secondary payload and is on for extended periods - no reports of any switch on/off activity - (the listed satellite is one of a cluster)
251.275
USA 198
2007-060A
32378
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone plus various test modes Intelligence-related satellite, possibly including communications: One of a pair of transmissions from a secondary payload on US classified satellite in HEO used during the test phase of the satellite up until 2008 March 13 - on March 14, USA-198 switched to its operational frequencies at 251.700 MHz and 256.375 MHz, test transmission also at 258.800 MHz, plus transmitter at 2242.50 MHz
251.325
USA 155
2000-080A
26635
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite near 10° west longitude: One of a triplet of similar of transmissions from a secondary payload on a US classified satellite in GEO, signal appears to be continuous and is similar to ones from USA-179 - Also transmits at 252.675 MHz, 258.775 MHz, 268.6755 MHz and 2242.486 MHz. No longer operational.
251.700
USA 179
2004-034A
28384
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite: One of a pair of transmissions from a secondary payload on US classified satellite in HEO - Switched on and off to co-ordinate coverage with USA-198 - Prior to 2008 Mar 14, USA-179 was operating alone and was providing near 8 hours' coverage per pass at this frequency - Also transmits at 256.375 MHz and 2242.50 MHz
251.700
USA 198
2007-060A
32378
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone Intelligence-related satellite, possibly including communications: One of a pair of transmissions from a secondary payload on US classified satellite in HEO - Switched on and off to co-ordinate coverage with USA-179 - Also transmits at 256.375 MHz and 2242.50 MHz
252.675
USA 155
2000-080A
26635
AM - high speed (19.2 kb/s?) data transmission US intelligence-related satellite near 10° west longitude: Transmissions from a secondary payload on a US classified satellite in GEO, signal appears to be continuous - Also transmits at 251.325 MHz, 258.775 MHz, 268.675 MHz and 2242.486 MHz. No longer operational.
256.375
USA 179
2004-034A
28384
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite: One of a pair of transmissions from a secondary payload on US classified satellite in HEO - Switched on and off to co-ordinate coverage with USA-198 - Prior to 2008 Mar 14, USA-179 was operating alone and was providing near 8 hours' coverage per pass at this frequency - Also transmits at 251.700 MHz and 2242.50 MHz
256.375
USA 198
2007-060A
32378
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone Intelligence-related satellite, possibly including communications: One of a pair of transmissions from a secondary payload on US classified satellite in HEO - Switched on and off to co-ordinate coverage with USA-179 - Also transmits at 251.700 MHz and 2242.50 MHz
256.475
USA 162
2001-046A
26948
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite near 144° west longitude, possibly including communications: One of a triplet of reported frequencies carrying similar signals from satellite in geosynchronous orbit, exact frequency not known - also reported to transmit at 250.075, 263.225, 267.550 MHz and 2242.5 MHz
258.150
USA 81
1992-023A
21949
AM - data plus modulated tones at 4.8 and 9.6 kHz Electronic intelligence gathering: European observations indicates that it is switched on and off on command from ground stations in Italy and Spain - also transmits at 2202.5 MHz and 2257.53 MHz, no longer active
258.775
USA 155
2000-080A
26635
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite near 10° west longitude: One of a triplet of similar of transmissions from a secondary payload on a US classified satellite in GEO, signal appears to be continuous and is similar to ones from USA-179 - Also transmits at 251.325 MHz, 252.675 MHz, 268.675 MHz and 2242.486 MHz. No longer operational.
258.800
USA 198
2007-060A
32378
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone plus various test modes Intelligence-related satellite, possibly including communications: One of a pair of transmissions from a secondary payload on US classified satellite in HEO used during the test phase of the satellite up until 2008 March 13 - on March 14, USA-198 switched to its operational frequencies at 251.700 MHz and 256.375 MHz, sharing duties with USA-179 - Test transmission also at 251.275 MHz, plus transmitter also at 2242.50 MHz
263.225
USA 162
2001-046A
26948
AM - high speed (19.2 kb/s?) data transmission US intelligence-related satellite near 144° west longitude, possibly including communications: Reported frequency for a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, exact frequency not known - also reported to transmit at 250.075 MHz,256.475, 267.550 MHz and 2242.5 MHz
267.550
USA 162
2001-046A
26948
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite near 144° west longitude, possibly including communications: One of a triplet of reported frequencies carrying similar signals from satellite in geosynchronous orbit, exact frequency not known - also reported to transmit at 250.075 MHz, 256.475 MHz, 263.225MHz and 2242.5 MHz
268.675
USA 155
2000-080A
26635
AM - 4.8 kHz data tone US intelligence-related satellite near 10° west longitude: One of a triplet of similar of transmissions from a secondary payload on a US classified satellite in GEO, signal appears to be continuous and is similar to ones from USA-179 - Also transmits at 251.325 MHz, 252.675 MHz, 258.775 MHz and 2242.486 MHz. No longer operational.
399.944
Oscar 29
1987-080B
18362
Modulated CW carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Maintenance frequency - Coherent transmission at 149.979 MHz (known to change between this frequency and the operational one) - No longer transmitting as of 2008 Jan 1
399.944
Oscar 31
1988-074B
19420
Modulated CW carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Maintenance frequency - Coherent transmission at 149.979 MHz (known to change between this frequency and the operational one) - Sometime between 2007 Dec 21 and 2008 Feb 7, the normal transmissions at both frequencies were replaced with a highly unstable CW carrier (wandering frequency + variations in strength)
399.968
Oscar 27
1987-080A
18361
Modulated CW carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 149.988 MHz (known to change between this frequency and the maintenance one) - No longer transmitting as of 2008 Feb 1
399.968
Oscar 23
1988-033A
19070
Modulated CW carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 149.988 MHz (known to change between this frequency and the maintenance one)
399.968
Oscar 32
1988-033B
19071
Modulated CW carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 149.988 MHz (known to change between this frequency and the maintenance one)
399.968
Oscar 25
1988-074A
19419
Modulated CW carrier Ionospheric modelling for US military (NIMS): Operational frequency - Coherent transmission at 149.988 MHz (known to change between this frequency and the maintenance one)
400.032
Unknown

'Wandering' CW Unidentified satellite: Satellite in GEO, possibly graveyard orbit, also transmits 150.012 MHz
400.032
Geosat
1985-021A
15595
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Oceanography - wave height measurement: Detected being switched on and off over Europe, not continuously active. Sometime around 2007, transmissions ceased to be detected but Geosat was subsequently determined to be transmitting continuously while in sunlight. Coherent transmission at 150.012 MHz
400.032
RADCAL
1993-041A
22698
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Radar calibration: Radar Calibration satellite - Coherent transmission at 150.012 MHz, operation is intermittent
400.032
GFO
1998-007A
25157
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Oceanography - wave height measurement: Geosat Follow On - Coherent transmission at 150.012 MHz and also transmittedat 2207.5 MHz. Ceased to transmit 2008 November.
400.032
ARGOS
1999-008A
25634
CW - Doppler tracking beacon USAF space experiments: Coherent transmission at 150.012 MHz - Ceased to transmit 2003
400.032
USA 147
1999-067A
25991
CW - Doppler tracking beacon Military meteorological satellite: Defense Meteorological Satellite Program - also transmits at 2207.535 MHz, 2237.5 MHz, and 150.012 MHz - Post-launch testing revealed interference with other equipment from the 150/400 MHz transmitters so they remained inactive (apart from further testing) until 2006 Aug 14 .
400.032
Picosat 9
2001-043B
26930
CW - Doppler tracking beacon USAF Space Test Program (STEP): Detected being switched on and off over Europe, not continuously active - Coherent transmission at 150.012 MHz - Ceased to transmit late-2004
400.180
USA 217
2010-062A
37222
Trigger pulse for ground ground-based transmitters at 16s intervals Military space technology experiments incl Store-Dump comms: Transmission from Ocean Data Telemetry Microsat Link payload to collect data from sensors on such as ocean data buoys or small, unattended ground stations. Transmits only when in range of an active sensor.
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