UHF-Satcom.com - Ku-Band satellite monitoring    (Work in Progress!)                                                 updated: (30/12/2006 00:04:53 -0000)

Introduction.

Ku-band is mainly used for direct-to-home satellite TV broadcasting, but also for things like VSAT links. In the UK, a radio magazine (Monitoring Monthly) recently carried an article about Ku-band monitoring, and since nothing was written up at uhf-satcom.com, some efforts have been put into starting a Ku-band frequency list detailing beacons. Uhf-satcom.com cannot lag behind in terms of monitoring! TV multiplexes will not be listed here. In order to start monitoring Ku-band beacons, a suitable dish will be required, something around 90cm or bigger is suitable. A dual-band LNA is also required, preferably one with PLL oscillators in order to get reasonable frequency stability. The IF output from the LNB must be split such that an output can be fed to your communications receiver. The receiver is then tuned over the 800MHz to 2GHz IF.

The Ku-band frequency list below has been compiled from reception reports. All frequencies in the list have been verified and are active on the date given under the satellite name / orbital slot position.

This list may NOT be used for any commercial purpose! Any questions, please contact uhf-satcom - details on the home page.

Position	Freq(MHz)	Modulation Scheme / Comments

13 East		11699.200	TT&C Beacon
Horbird series	11699.800	TT&C Beacon
(29.11.06)	11700.900	TT&C Beacon
		11702.800	TT&C Beacon
		12500.000	Beacon / Continuous carrier

	Hotbird 13E 11699.200MHz TT&C
	Hotbird 13E 11699.800MHz TT&C
	Hotbird 13E 11700.900MHz TT&C
	Hotbird 13E 11702.800MHz TT&C
	Hotbird 13E 12500.000MHz TT&C

Position	Freq(MHz)	Modulation Scheme / Comments
5 West		11699.200	TT&C Beacon
Atlantic Bird 3	12501.000 or	TT&C Beacon
		12502.000	TT&C Beacon
		
8.0W		11450.500	Tracking Beacon
Telecom 2D	11452.500	Tracking Beacon
		11451.500	Spare Tracking Beacon
		
11.0W		11400.000	Tracking Beacon
Express A3
		
12.5W		11703.40 or 	TT&C Beacon
Atlantic Bird 1	11704.60	TT&C Beacon
		12500.15 or 	TT&C Beacon
		12749.85	TT&C Beacon