Step 02 — Satellites
Choose your target
Amateur satellites carry transponders, repeaters, and digipeaters open to licensed operators. Filter below by experience level or operating mode, then click Track › to see live TLE and orbital data.
License required
15 satellites match
Inverting transponder — Tx USB → Rx LSB
Transmit USB; satellite inverts to LSB on downlink
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 39444
CubeSat linear transponder (inverting). Active when not in eclipse. Great step up from FM sats.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 43017
FM transponder. Check AMSAT status before operating — may be in safe mode. Uplink is 70cm; downlink is 2m.
Doppler ±3.5 kHz · NORAD 25544
Most accessible ham sat. Voice contacts during ARISS school events; listen on the downlink any time.
1200 baud AX.25
Doppler ±3.5 kHz · NORAD 25544
Send a position beacon or message through the ISS digipeater. Seeing your callsign relayed is a great first milestone.
CTCSS: 141.3 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 43678
Philippine amateur satellite. Operational windows posted by JAXA/BIRDS team; not always on.
Activate: 74.4 Hz burst (2 sec, once)
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 27607
FM repeater in space. Step 1: send a 2-second 74.4 Hz burst to activate. Step 2: transmit with 67.0 Hz continuous CTCSS. Ideal first satellite voice contact.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63217
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63219
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63218
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63213
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63214
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63215
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63238
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63239
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
CTCSS: 67 Hz continuous
Doppler ±9.5 kHz · NORAD 63237
TEVEL-2 FM repeater (67.0 Hz CTCSS, 2m up / 70cm down). One of nine identical birds — work whichever is passing. Activity varies; check AMSAT status.
Reading a satellite card
- License badge — minimum FCC class required to transmit. Receiving any satellite is always permitted without a license.
- Mode — FM Voice means a repeater in the sky. SSB Linear means a transponder you tune across. Packet/APRS means digital.
- Up / Down frequencies — these are the nominal center frequencies. Apply Doppler correction (see the Frequencies page) as the satellite moves.
- Doppler ± — maximum expected shift in kHz at the satellite's speed. FM radios capture this automatically; SSB requires manual tuning.
- Beginner friendly — satellites where FM mode, predictable schedules, and strong signals make the first contact achievable with basic gear.
Next step
Learn about uplink/downlink frequencies and Doppler correction.