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Satellites with RTLSDR

and What is GOES?

TOM CUTTER, W6BS JULY 5, 2022

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What is RTLSDR

RTLSDR is a USB thumb drive receiver which converts signals to Digital then processed by a computer. (SDR - Software Defined Radio)
They are very cheap ~$30 USB dongles exist. They can be used as a computer based radio scanner for receiving live radio signals.
Depending on the particular model it could receive frequencies from 500 kHZ up to 1.75 Ghz. They use the RTL2832U chipset, hence RTL.

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Some Popular Versions

Tuner	Frequency range
Elonics E4000	52 – 2200 MHz with a gap from 1100 MHz to 1250 MHz (varies)
Rafael Micro R820T/2/R860	24 – 1766 MHz (Can be improved to ~13 - 1864 MHz with experimental drivers)
Fitipower FC0013	22 – 1100 MHz
Fitipower FC0012	22 – 948.6 MHz
FCI FC2580	146 – 308 MHz and 438 – 924 MHz (gap in between)

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What is GOES

GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite)
There are Currently East and West Satellites covering the US territory and a companion Himawai which relays Japan, Australia and New Zealand images.
The Satellites continually view at approximately 22,300 miles above Earth.

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GOES Sensors

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What does it look like?

Spacecraft Specifications

6.1 m x 5.6 m x 3.9 m (20.0 ft x 18.4 ft x 12.8 ft)
2,857 kg (6,299 lbs) dry mas
5,192 kg lbs) at launch (fueled)

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Satellite Frequencies

L-band (1-2 GHz) Global Positioning System (GPS) carriers and also satellite mobile phones, such as Iridium; Inmarsat providing communications at sea, land and air; WorldSpace satellite radio. GOES is included.
S-band (2-4 GHz) Weather radar, surface ship radar & aviation, and some communications satellites, especially those of NASA for communication with ISS. Microwave region.
C-band (4-8 GHz) Primarily used for full-time satellite TV networks. Less susceptible to rain fade. Best used for downlinks.
X-band (8-12 GHz) Use for deep space missions & planet exploration satellites. High bit rate data.
The frequencies 1-12 GHz are chosen as they go the through the Earth’s atmosphere the best. L band is chosen best to penetrate rain, fog & storm clouds and vegetation.

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Why did I choose GOES?

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Why GOES DCS?

DCS - Data Collection System
Relays from DCP - Data Collection Platform environmental data since 1975 NOAA. Now from over 30,000 location via UHF to the Goes satellites. Then downloaded & processed at Wallops Station with its huge antennas and re-broadcast via Domestic Satellites & over the internet.

DCP contain sensors examples are automatic weather stations, tide and tsunami buoys, river and flood gauges & seismic gauges & water chemistry.
Some examples are automatic weather stations, tide and tsunami buoys, river and flood gauges and seismic gauges. by various government agencies like NOAA , NWS, USGS, US Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, others ..
Data from DCP’s: automated sensors of Water (level, depth, quality, flow/discharge, temp), telemetry, meteorological (wind, rain, temp, barometric, humidity ..)

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DCS Data Collection System

Additional info: https://noaasis.noaa.gov/pdf/Wallops_CDAS_Updates.pdf

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GOES Frequency Plan

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Receiving GOES signals & SDRPlusPlus

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GOES Lingo?

Himawari - Japan’s 4km resolution companion satellite to GOES.
Imarsat-C - Automated satellite system for promulgating weather forecasts and warnings, marine navigational warnings and other safety related information to all types of vessels and is par to the Global Maritime Distress ^ Safety System (GMDSS) & text communication - email, SMS, telex.
EMWIN - Emergency Management Weather Info 19.2 Kbps
HRIT - High Rate Information Transmission 400 Kbps
GRB - Goes Rebroadcast - Data contains the ABI, GLM, space environment, and solar data & CONUS images to 1km resolution & solar stream 31 Mbps.
SAR Satellite Aides & Tracking
DCPR - Data Collection Platform Reporting (LRIT)
LRIT Low Rate Information Transmission 128 Kbps
CONUS - Continental United States
GLM - Geostationary Lighting Mapper
ABI - Advanced Baseline Imager - Earth Camera of 16 channels with various light wavelengths.
SUVI - Solar Ultraviolet Imager
EXIS - Solar Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray irradiance Sensor
MAG - Magnetometer
SEISS - Space Environment In-Situ Suite

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First Try GOES Antenna 12 db Yagi

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Radio Parts

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Computer Parts & OS debian 10 linux

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https://pietern/goestools

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Banana PI & USB RTL Dongle

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Modified 2.4 GHz Antenna

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Chimney Mounted Antenna

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Antenna Bracket Choke Sawbird LNA

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Dishpointer & position Antenna?

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Apps for iPad to make easier

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Satellite Tracker AR

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RTL E4000, RTL R820T2, Sawbird LNA

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GOES USGS DCP at Harold Richey Bridge

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Close up USGS DCP at Richey Bridge

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What Satellite Next?

Webb Space Telescope?
more info on hacking James Web satellite: https://destevez.net/2021/12/decoding-james-webb-space-telescope
July 12 will be the reveal of the first images, which made scientists cry. Teaser: https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/06/nasa-teases-extraordinary-images-captured-by-its-webb-telescope