Signal guide

Satellite telemetry beacon

Data beacons from amateur and small research satellites, reporting their health: battery, temperatures, and so on.

What does it sound like?

Plate 55Satellite

Short data bursts (like packet radio's buzz) or a steady tone, sliding in pitch during the pass.

0 Hz1,0002,0003,000 Hz

12.0-second example. Recording: gr-satellites sample recordings, Daniel Estévez (public domain).

Field marksThe pitch slides during a pass (Doppler)Passes last about 5-15 minutesOften 145.8-146 or 435-438 MHz

Who uses it?

Amateur radio satellites and university CubeSats.

Where and when can I hear it?

Mainly 145.8-146 MHz and 435-438 MHz, during passes of a few minutes. The pitch drifts as the satellite moves (the Doppler effect).

Easily confused with

• Weather satellite pictures (APT), from the same family