NOAA Satellites: Difference between revisions
Add images: actual APT captures, SDR hardware, QFH antenna, satellite clean room, decentralization theme Tag: Replaced |
Fix: Use verified Commons images for NOAA satellites |
||
| (One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
= NOAA Satellites = | |||
[[File:Partially processed APT image from weather satellite NOAA-15.jpg|thumb|right|320px|Direct from space - NOAA-15 pass received with amateur equipment. No subscription. No account. Just physics.]] | |||
Receiving weather images directly from space using simple equipment. | |||
== Active Satellites == | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|- | |||
! Satellite !! Frequency !! Status | |||
|- | |||
| NOAA 15 || 137.6200 MHz || Active since 1998 | |||
|- | |||
| NOAA 18 || 137.9125 MHz || Active since 2005 | |||
|- | |||
| NOAA 19 || 137.1000 MHz || Active since 2009 | |||
|} | |||
Transmitting APT (Automatic Picture Transmission) as they pass overhead. 4-6 good passes daily. The satellites don't care who you are. | |||
== Reception Basics == | |||
=== Minimal Setup === | |||
* RTL-SDR dongle ($30) | |||
* V-dipole or QFH antenna | |||
* Computer running SDR# | |||
* WXtoImg or noaa-apt for decoding | |||
=== Better Setup === | |||
* LNA (low noise amplifier) | |||
* QFH or turnstile antenna | |||
* Raspberry Pi for automated captures | |||
* Waterproof enclosure for permanent installation | |||
== The Magic == | |||
These satellites broadcast continuously. When one passes overhead, you can receive live weather imagery showing hundreds of miles of Earth. | |||
'''No license needed. No subscription. No API key.''' | |||
Just you and a satellite that doesn't know you exist, sharing data because that's what it was built to do. | |||
== Signal Characteristics == | |||
* FM modulated | |||
* 2400 Hz subcarrier | |||
* Transmits during entire pass | |||
* Strongest when directly overhead | |||
* 10-15 minute passes | |||
* Doppler shift visible as satellite approaches and recedes | |||
== Forestpunk Applications == | |||
* Monitor weather systems approaching your area | |||
* Track forest fire smoke plumes | |||
* Observe seasonal changes from space | |||
* Complete off-grid weather intelligence | |||
* Verify (or contradict) official forecasts | |||
== Why This Matters == | |||
Before satellites, weather prediction required massive infrastructure - balloon launches, ship reports, ground stations. Now a solar-powered Pi with a wire antenna can pull forecasts from orbit. | |||
This is what decentralization actually looks like. | |||
== Current Projects == | |||
* Building weatherproof permanent station | |||
* Automated capture and processing pipeline | |||
* Machine learning for feature extraction | |||
== See Also == | |||
* [[Ham Radio]] - the broader radio ecosystem | |||
* [[HackRF]] - more capable SDR hardware | |||
* [[Frequencies]] - spectrum allocation reference | |||
{{Navbox Technical}} | |||
[[Category:Technical Systems]][[Category:Radio]][[Category:Weather]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:44, 7 December 2025
NOAA Satellites
Receiving weather images directly from space using simple equipment.
Active Satellites
| Satellite | Frequency | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NOAA 15 | 137.6200 MHz | Active since 1998 |
| NOAA 18 | 137.9125 MHz | Active since 2005 |
| NOAA 19 | 137.1000 MHz | Active since 2009 |
Transmitting APT (Automatic Picture Transmission) as they pass overhead. 4-6 good passes daily. The satellites don't care who you are.
Reception Basics
Minimal Setup
- RTL-SDR dongle ($30)
- V-dipole or QFH antenna
- Computer running SDR#
- WXtoImg or noaa-apt for decoding
Better Setup
- LNA (low noise amplifier)
- QFH or turnstile antenna
- Raspberry Pi for automated captures
- Waterproof enclosure for permanent installation
The Magic
These satellites broadcast continuously. When one passes overhead, you can receive live weather imagery showing hundreds of miles of Earth.
No license needed. No subscription. No API key.
Just you and a satellite that doesn't know you exist, sharing data because that's what it was built to do.
Signal Characteristics
- FM modulated
- 2400 Hz subcarrier
- Transmits during entire pass
- Strongest when directly overhead
- 10-15 minute passes
- Doppler shift visible as satellite approaches and recedes
Forestpunk Applications
- Monitor weather systems approaching your area
- Track forest fire smoke plumes
- Observe seasonal changes from space
- Complete off-grid weather intelligence
- Verify (or contradict) official forecasts
Why This Matters
Before satellites, weather prediction required massive infrastructure - balloon launches, ship reports, ground stations. Now a solar-powered Pi with a wire antenna can pull forecasts from orbit.
This is what decentralization actually looks like.
Current Projects
- Building weatherproof permanent station
- Automated capture and processing pipeline
- Machine learning for feature extraction
See Also
- Ham Radio - the broader radio ecosystem
- HackRF - more capable SDR hardware
- Frequencies - spectrum allocation reference
| ⚡ Technical | |
|---|---|
| Core | Technical · CLI · Dotfiles · Nvim · SSH · VPS |
| Tools | Sketchybar · ArchiveBox · ThinkPad Linux |
| Systems | Automation · Personal APIs · Quantified Self |
| Reference | Runbooks · New Computer Runbook · Syntax guide |