UHF-Satcom.com - L-band reception

Don't forget - if you want to chat about L-Band reception, pop along to the #hearsat IRC channel, details here

L-Band downlinks mostly consist of traffic which is delivered to mobile users - there are exceptions to this of course. At L-band you can hear Inmarsat digital telephony / data, Weather Fax, Iridium telephony, and many streams of telemetry type traffic. There is about a 50/50 split in the traffic as to its origin, with some coming from Geostationary satellites, other traffic from orbiting satellites. One particularly interesting set of LEO L-Band satellites are those that form the COSPAS-SARSAT search and rescue satellite radiolocation system, a separate page dedicated to this is here. Work has been progressing on an Inmarsat pager obtained from eBay, you can read about that here.

In order to successfully receive L-band signals, you will need a good preamplifier - the 13cm/23cm VK5EME preamp is recommended for this as it provides a low noise figure and high associated gain. Coupled with the preamp, a suitable antenna must also be used. For feeding either an offset or prime focus dish, a 3.5 turn helical can be used (details below). Few L-band downlinks are linearly polarised, the exception is Meteosat at 0W which uses horizontal polarisation. The frequency range to define L-band as far as satellite downlinks go, can be from 1.3GHz to 1.7GHz. For Inmarsat-C it is possible to use an amplified / filtered patch antenna such as the one available here.

The picture to the left shows an assembled VK5EME dual stage LNA board. N sockets are used as they are low-loss at 1.5GHz. This particular LNA is suitable for Inmarsat Reception due to its low noise and high associated gain.

The custom milled enclosure was chosen mainly for mechanical rigidity reasons.

The picture to the left shows a new version of the LNA which is boxes and ready to go as a plug and play solution to L-Band reception. The LNA has been checked for any self oscillations caused by being mounted in the box, and none were found. In fact the performance has been excellent.

A simple LHCP helical antenna centred on 1550MHz is described to the right - this antenna can be used with prime focus or offset dishes. This antenna is ideal for Inmarsat reception when combined with a 60cm to 90cm dish and suitable LNA board such as the one mentioned above.

The dimensions are not overly critical, but should be within a couple of mm of those quoted. The ground plane can be made from PCB or aluminium, and its recommended that an SMA or N-Type connector is used. The helix element can be made of 1.5mm or 2mm wire - the prototype used 2mm silver plated copper wire. The helix element can be made self supporting, but its better practice to make a supporting rod from nylon or plastic. The first quarter turn of the helical should be bent to be parallel with the ground plane, leave a 1mm gap here.

Work is progressing well on the Inmarsat BGan system which allows IP LAN extensions over satellite - this is using an eBay sourced BGan modem which has been placed in promiscuous mode. In addition to BGan, Std-B, Mini-M, Std-C and Std-D+ are work in progress. The Inmarsat L-Band transponder spectrum plots for 15.5W can be found here.

Inmarsat-C channels are analysed with the Inmarsat-C demo decoder available at InmarsatDecoder.com - no message content except broadcast messages like SafetyNet / EGC's are shown in the demo, but CES capabilities, frequency info etc is shown as per the screenshots below;

L-Band Geostationary satellite survey contributions from #hearsat (xBr, pjm, kodar, gonzo, hfid, blh, Freq, r00t, trango) Position Freq Service / Modulation / Notes 98.14W 1525.870 BGAN 33.6 40kHz ACF=80.2ms Inmarsat 4F3 1528.785 LES 360 Local=0 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps (tnx to blh,) 1528.805 LES 360 Local=1 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps (trango and) 1530.953 6Kbps BPSK weak (r00t) 1531.240 BGAN ~100kHz weak 1531.710 LES 056 Local=2 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1531.750 LES 253 Local=1 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1531.770 LES 254 Local=1 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1531.790 LES 252 Local=1 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1531.810 LES 054 Local=3 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1532.080 BGAN ~100kHz weak 1533.215 LES 361 Local=0 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1533.285 LES 361 Local=1 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1533.615 6Kbps BPSK? weak 1533.625 Std-B NCS 1533.635 Std-M LES 0xBD 1535.1375 Seastar DGPS point to multipoint BPSK 2438bps {id=0xC685 scr=0x5C08} 1535.175 Veripos DGPS correction data BPSK 2438bps (High Power) {id=???? scr=0x1D2F} 1536.900 BGAN ~160khz 1537.0625 BGAN 8400bps QPSK 1540.300 BGAN ~160khz 1542.500 BGAN ~160khz 1542.700 BGAN ~160khz 1543.140 LES 252 Local=0 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.160 LES 253 Local=0 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.180 LES 054 Local=0 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.185 BPSK 2498Bd 2240bit frame 1543.205 LES 051 Local=0 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.250 LES 056 Local=0 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.290 2400bps BPSK BURSTS 1543.305 LES 053 Local=1 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.310 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1543.350 LES 254 Local=3 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.379 2400Bpsk BURSTS 1543.380 LES 052 Local=2 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.395 LES 054 Local=1 Joint NCS+TDM - private LES TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1543.955 BPSK 2498Bd 2240bit frame 1545.545 SkyFire DGPS 1200BPSK 1546.840 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1546.840 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1547.5475 4800bps BPSK 1547.625 3600bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC traffic channel ? 1547.630 1800bps QPSK?? on-demand channel 1547.715 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1547.840 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1547.966 3600bps QPSK on demand channel 1550.150 3600bps QPSK on demand channel 1552.277 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1552.532 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1553.071 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1557.465 3600bps GMSK 1557.570 6000bps BPSK weak 1557.605 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1557.6175 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1557.6295 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1557.6415 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1557.6535 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1557.8345 2400bps BPSK weak 1557.8545 P2MP 2438.1Bd Fugro SeaStar {id=0xC685 scr=0x5C08} 1558.0045 3600GMSK 1558.0145 3600GMSK 1558.0245 3600GMSK 1558.0345 3600GMSK 1558.101 3600QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC traffic channel ? 1558.113 3600QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC traffic channel ? 1558.334 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1558.346 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1558.370 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES 1558.3815 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES rep. pat/idle 1558.3935 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES rep. pat/idle 1558.430 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES rep. pat/idle weak 1558.454 3372bps QPSK - Inmarsat AMSC LES rep. pat/idle 60W 1676.000 Digital data GOES-10 1681.475 Digital data (09/03/2008) 1692.700 Carrier 1694.000 Digital data 1694.300 Carrier 54.0W 1531.140 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M Inmarsat 3F4 1532.700 Wideband PSK 160KHz BGAN 1535.035 MFSK slow rate data 40bd Inmarsat-D 1535.045 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1535.055 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1535.0975 Seastar DGPS DGPS point to multipoint BPSK 2438bps 1535.115 Veripos DGPS correction data BPSK 2438bps 1535.185 Seastar DGPS point to multipoint BPSK 1219bps 1537.560 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.570 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.600 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.700 NCS 044 - Network Coordination Station TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1537.860 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1537.880 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1537.890 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1537.900 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1538.010 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1538.020 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1538.030 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1538.040 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1538.060 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1538.070 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1538.120 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M NCS 1538.380 ID 002 - MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D Bulletin Board 1539.175 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.180 1200bps DBPSK - LES021 to NCS ISL 1539.185 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.190 1200bps DBPSK - LES012 to NCS ISL 1539.195 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.200 1200bps DBPSK - LES002 to NCS ISL 1539.205 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.210 1200bps DBPSK - LES001 to NCS ISL 1539.215 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.220 1200bps DBPSK - LES003 to NCS ISL 1539.235 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.240 1200bps DBPSK - LES004 to NCS ISL 1539.525 LES 021 - France Telecom MSC TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.535 LES 001 - Southbury USA TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.555 LES 002 - Stratos Burum Netherlands TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.565 LES 004 - EIK Telenor Norway TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.585 LES 012 - Stratos Burum Netherlands TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.685 LES 003 - KDDI Yamaguchi Japan TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.750 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.7575 ID 012 - MFSK slow rate data 40bd Inmarsat-D 1539.760 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.7675 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.770 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.7775 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.7825 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.785 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.7875 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.790 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1541.280 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M NCS 1541.410 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1542.500 Wideband PSK 160KHz BGAN 1545.020 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS LES NCS 1545.025 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS LES GES-005 Aussaguel 1545.055 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS LES GES-002 Southbury 1545.060 AERO-I 1200bd / DPSK - ACARS 1545.065 AERO-I 1200bd / DPSK - ACARS 1545.070 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS LES GES-002 Southbury 1545.090 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS LES GES-005 Aussaguel 1545.100 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS LES GES-005 Aussaguel 1545.160 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS 1545.165 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS 1545.205 AERO-I 600bd / DPSK - ACARS LES GES-002 Southbury 1545.900 Wideband PSK 160KHz BGAN 1546.0475 AERO-I GES-002 Southbury - control / messaging 1546.062 AERO-I GES-005 Aussaguel - control / messaging 1536.0925 AERO-I GES-002 Southbury - control / messaging 1547.640 Wideband PSK 40KHz 33.5W 1540.870 TT&C sidebands at +- 4KHz Marisat-F2 EOL 15.43W 1526.290 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK Spot beam identifier Beam:07 ChID:0 LES:FD Inmarsat 3F2 1526.810 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK Spot beam identifier Beam:05 ChID:0 LES:FD 1528.290 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK Spot beam identifier Beam:06 ChID:0 LES:FD 1528.300 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK Spot beam identifier Beam:04 ChID:0 LES:FD 1529.260 Inmarsat-B channel 1529.670 Inmarsat-B channel 1529.690 Inmarsat-B channel 1531.970 Inmarsat-B channel 1531.990 Inmarsat-B channel 1532.490 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK Spot beam identifier Beam:03 ChID:0 LES:FD 1533.510 Inmarsat-B channel 1533.850 Inmarsat-B channel 1534.360 Inmarsat-B channel 1535.075 Seastar DGPS point to multipoint 1219bps 1535.090 Seastar DGPS point to multipoint 2438bps 1535.105 Veripos DGPS correction data 2438.1Bd BPSK point to multipoint circuit 8192bit frame 1535.125 Fugro Omnistar 1219Sym/s 1535.170 SkyFire space-based GPS augmentation service (1200bps BPSK) 1536.030 Inmarsat-B channel 1536.050 Inmarsat-B channel 1536.070 Inmarsat-B channel 1536.250 256bps BPSK 1 second framing (perhaps for Russian Volna system) 1537.120 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:0D 1537.120 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:37 1537.120 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:83 1537.140 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:5A 1537.150 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:81 1537.160 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:02 1537.160 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:4F 1537.160 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:77 1537.170 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:0C 1537.170 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:29 1537.170 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:A5 1537.190 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:24 1537.190 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:34 1537.200 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:1C 1537.200 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:56 1537.200 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:74 1537.210 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:46 1537.210 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:9E 1537.220 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:9A 1537.320 Inmarsat-Mini-M 6Kbps BPSK NCS 1537.550 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK NCS Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:FD 1537.580 ChFN:9 Beam:00 ChID:2 LES:B4 1537.600 Inmarsat-B 6Kbps BPSK LES interlink Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:FD 1537.680 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK Spot beam identifier Beam:00 ChID:0 LES:FD 1537.710 Inmarsat-C LES 103 - KDDI Yamaguchi Japan TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1537.740 ChFN:D Beam:00 ChID:2 LES:71 1537.750 Inmarsat TDM channel 1200bd DBPSK (xBr recording QRT 31/12/07) 1537.870 Inmarsat-D ID 102 - MFSK slow rate data 20bd Bulletin Board 1538.050 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.070 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.200 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.220 Inmarsat-B/M 6Kbps BPSK Primary NCS 1538.260 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.410 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.430 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.450 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.470 Inmarsat-B channel 1538.490 Inmarsat-B channel 1539.010 Inmarsat-B channel 1539.030 Inmarsat-B channel 1539.050 Inmarsat-B channel 1539.175 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LES120 ISL 1539.180 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES120 to NCS ISL 1539.185 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LES112 ISL 1539.190 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES112 to NCS ISL 1539.195 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES102 to NCS ISL 1539.200 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LES102 ISL 1539.205 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LES101 ISL 1539.210 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES101 to NCS ISL 1539.215 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.220 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES104 to NCS ISL 1539.225 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.230 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES114 to NCS ISL 1539.235 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.240 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES105 to NCS ISL 1539.255 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL 1539.260 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES117 to NCS ISL - off air (11/02/11) 1539.275 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL - off air (11/02/11) 1539.280 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LESxxx to NCS ISL - constantly idle 1539.295 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LES121 ISL 1539.300 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES121 to NCS ISL 1539.305 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LES103 ISL 1539.310 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES103 to NCS ISL 1539.325 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - NCS to LESxxx ISL - off air (11/02/11) 1539.330 Inmarsat-C 1200bps DBPSK - LES116 to NCS ISL - off air (11/02/11) 1539.505 Inmarsat-C LES 112 - Station 12 Holland TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.515 Inmarsat-C LES 101 - Southbury USA TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.595 Inmarsat-C LES 104 - EIK Telenor Norway TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.615 Inmarsat-C LES 102 - Stratos Burum Netherlands TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.625 Inmarsat-C LES 114 - Tangua Embratel Brazil TDMA BPSK 1200bps (not tx'ing 18/09/11) 1539.635 Inmarsat-C LES 117 - Nudol Morsviasputnik Russia TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.645 Inmarsat-C LES 120 - Thermopylae Greece TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.655 Inmarsat-C LES 112 - Station 12 Holland TDMA BPSK 1200bps (not tx'ing 18/09/11) 1539.675 Inmarsat-C LES 121 - France Telekom MSC TDMA BPSK 1200bps (pjm recording) 1539.695 Inmarsat-C LES 105 - Fucino Telecom Italia TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.7625 Inmarsat-D MFSK slow rate data 20bd - QRT? 1539.7725 Inmarsat-D MFSK slow rate data 20bd - QRT? 1539.810 Inmarsat-B channel 1539.830 Inmarsat-B channel 1541.000 Continuous carrier 1541.0175 Inmarsat-D MFSK slow rate data 20bd 1541.0275 Inmarsat-D MFSK slow rate data 20bd 1541.0475 Inmarsat-C ID 103 - MFSK slow rate data 40bd Inmarsat-D? 1541.1275 Inmarsat-C ID 103 - MFSK slow rate data 40bd Inmarsat-D (same tfc as 1541.0475) 1541.450 Inmarsat-C LES 144 - NCS 1541.700 BGAN 1542.3775 Inmarsat Fleet/M4 Beam:00 40KHz strong ChID:1 LES:00 1543.700 24K DBPSK (new 31/03/2009) 1544.500 SARSAT downlink 1545.01500 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES NCS 1545.03000 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-103 Aussaguel 1545.03500 AERO-I 1200Bd GMSK LES GES-104 Eik 1545.04000 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-103 Aussaguel 1545.04500 AERO-I 1200Bd GMSK LES GES-104 Eik 1545.09500 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-104 Eik 1545.19500 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES NCS 1545.100 Inmarsat data (xBr recording) 1545.2850 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.3025 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.3200 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.3375 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.3550 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.3725 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.3900 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.4250 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1545.4425 AERO-H+ traffic channel LPC codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.055 AERO-I GES-104 Eik - control / messaging 1546.070 AERO-I GES-103 Aussaguel - control / messaging 1546.085 AERO-I GES-104 Eik - control / messaging 1546.100 AERO-I GES-104 Eik - control / messaging 1546.1425 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.1475 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.1525 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.1675 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.1725 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.1775 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.1825 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.3575 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.3625 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.3675 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.3725 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.3775 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.3825 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.8250 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.8300 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.8350 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.8400 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.8500 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1546.8550 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1547.4150 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1547.4200 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1547.4250 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1547.4350 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1547.7050 Inmarsat Fleet/M4 Beam:03 40KHz weak ChID:1 LES:00 1547.7500 Inmarsat Fleet/M4 Beam:06 40KHz ChID:1 LES:00 1548.3125 Inmarsat Fleet/M4 Beam:04 40KHz weak ChID:1 LES:00 1548.7650 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1548.7700 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1548.7750 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1548.7800 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1548.7900 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1548.9150 AERO-H+ traffic channel OQPSK 8400bps 1548.9350 AERO-H+ traffic channel OQPSK 8400bps 1548.9400 AERO-H+ traffic channel OQPSK 8400bps 1548.9975 Inmarsat Fleet/M4 Beam:05 40KHz strong ChID:1 LES:00 1549.6150 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1549.6200 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1549.6250 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1549.6300 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1549.6350 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1549.6400 AERO-H+ traffic channel ambe codec OQPSK 8400bps 1550.025 Inmarsat Fleet/M4 Beam:07 40KHz wide ChID:1 LES:00 1551.290 Inmarsat-B channel 1552.040 Inmarsat-B channel 1552.060 Inmarsat-B channel 1552.080 Inmarsat-B channel 1552.100 Inmarsat-B channel 1553.370 Inmarsat-B channel 1554.750 4800Bd BPSK idle unknown system control channel 1554.890 Inmarsat-B channel 1554.975 1200Bd GMSK (not AERO) 1575.420 EGNOS overlay 0W 1686.830 WB data - approx 750KHz wide (has 8X carriers each side) Meteosat 1691.000 Meteosat APT / WEFAX QRT 14/06/06 1693.830 Carrier 1694.500 Meteosat HRPT 1695.665 Chopped carrier 1695.720 PSK Data 1695.755 Data (GMSK?) 1695.785 Data (GMSK?) 21E 1469.000 DVB Mux Afristar 1471.000 DVB Mux 1473.000 DVB Mux 1475.000 DVB Mux 1488.000 DVB Mux 1490.000 DVB Mux 1491.699 Afristar TT&C 24.88E 1525.250 BGAN Inmarsat 4F2 1525.350 BGAN 1529.250 BGAN 1529.350 BGAN 1529.650 BGAN 1532.050 Carrier 1532.025 BGAN 1532.075 BGAN 1532.225 BGAN 1533.100 BGAN 1533.290 Carrier 1534.100 BGAN 1535.325 BGAN 1535.450 BGAN 1535.525 BGAN 1535.575 BGAN 1535.750 BGAN 1535.950 BGAN 1536.140 BPSK 6000Bd std-B Spot beam 0xED 1536.201 BPSK 3840Bd DSSS Drifting -86Hz/10min, recync after 7mins 1537.080 BPSK 6000Bd std-B LES 0xB6 1537.350 BPSK 6000Bd std-B LES 0xB2 1537.360 BPSK 6000Bd std-B [too weak] 1537.440 BPSK 2438.1Bd P2MP Fugro DGPS 1537.4525 BPSK 1200Bd viterbi 1/2 SkyFire DGPS 1537.460 BPSK 2438.1Bd Veripos DGPS service P2MP 1537.525 Continuous carrier 1537.580 BPSK 6000Bd std-B LES 0xB4 1537.6375 BPSK 6000Bd 1537.740 BPSK 6000Bd std-B NCS 1537.760 BPSK 6000Bd std-M NCS 1537.825 Continuous carrier 1537.920 QPSK 8400Bd BGAN NCS/Global beam 1538.850 BGAN 1538.950 BGAN 1539.8825 BPSK 2438.1Bd P2MP 1D2F Veripos DGPS (NewEAME beam) 1539.9125 BPSK 2438.1Bd P2MP 5C08 Fugro DGPS (ESAT beam) 1539.952 BPSK 2438.1Bd P2MP 5C08 unknown but probably Fugro 1540.020 BPSK 1250Bd bursts, periodic 1540.055 QPSK 4800Bd bursts, periodic, multiple stations? 1540.300 BGAN 1540.500 BGAN 1540.700 BGAN 1542.500 BGAN 1545.115 GMSK 600Bd AERO-I LES GES-xxx 1545.120 GMSK 1200Bd AERO-I LES GES-xxx 1545.125 GMSK 1200Bd AERO-I LES GES-220 1545.540 BPSK 1200Bd 106.7ms ~ 128bit 1545.825 QPSK 8400Bd BGAN NCS/Global beam 1546.0125 GMSK ?? 1546.0146 OQPSK 5200bd GES 220 1548.230 BPSK DSSS ~24000Bd 1548.358 21093.77 sym/s BPSK code = 1111100110010100 1010010001000111 neg ACF @ 2451, pos @ 3687 1548.420 21093.77 sym/s BPSK code = 1111100110010100 1010010001000111 4x66=264frame / 16368bit long frame 1548.525 BPSK 1125Bd 56.9ms ~ 68bit (changed to fast 4800Bd? BPSK for a while) 1545.540 StarFire space-based GPS augmentation service (1200bps BPSK) 1551.584 84375.22 sym/s BPSK code = 1111100110010100 1010010001000111 neg ACF @ 2451, pos @ 3687, 16400bit long frame 1551.752 84375.22 sym/s BPSK code = 1111100110010100 1010010001000111 neg ACF @ 2451, pos @ 3687, 16400bit long frame 1552.088 84375.22 sym/s BPSK code = 11100100 01001110 neg ACF @ 2451, pos @ 3687, 16368bit long frame 1552.3415 BPSK 256Bd 1sec frame 1557.735 84375.22 sym/s BPSK code = 11100100 01001110 neg ACF @ 2451, pos @ 3687, 16368bit long frame 1557.902 84375.22 sym/s BPSK code = 11100100 01001110 neg ACF @ 2451, pos @ 3687, 16368bit long frame 1575.420 Egnos overlay data (xBr recording) 46E 1531.220 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA Thuraya-2 1531.315 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1531.470 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1531.625 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1533.245 116800 sym/s OQPSK 1533.345 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1536.188 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1536.688 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1543.220 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1543.345 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1543.845 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1548.395 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1548.595 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1548.658 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1549.339 116800 sym/s OQPSK 1550.063 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1551.033 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1551.315 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1552.250 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1552.563 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1554.406 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1554.437 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1554.470 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA (on demand) 1555.220 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1555.532 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1555.844 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1556.375 116800 sym/s OQPSK 1556.469 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1557.031 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1557.563 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1557.720 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 1557.875 23651.25 sym/s Pi/4 QPSK TDMA 57E 1691.007 Meteosat APT/WEFAX 64.5E 1533.100 BGAN Inmarsat 3F1 1534.100 BGAN 1534.980 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M NCS 1535.070 Veripos DGPS correction data BPSK 2438bps 1535.090 Seastar DGPS point to multipoint BPSK 2438bps 1535.115 Veripos DGPS correction data BPSK 2438bps 1535.1525 Veripos DGPS correction data BPSK 2438bps 1535.1575 Seastar DGPS point to multipoint BPSK 1219bps 1537.100 NCS TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1537.320 NCS Mini-M 1537.340 NCS Mini-M 1537.550 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.560 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.590 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.600 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.6375 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.670 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.680 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.920 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.930 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M 1537.995 ID 302 - MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D Bulletin Board 1538.180 NCS (Inmarsat B / M) 1539.355 LES 330 - Vishipel Viewnam TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.365 LES 303 - KDDI Yamaguchi TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.385 LES 335 - Fucino Telecom Italia TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.395 LES 301 - Telenor Satellite Services Inc TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.405 LES 316 - Psary Polish Telecom TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.415 LES 312 - Stratos Global Australia TDMA BPSK 1200bps (local = 0) 1539.425 LES 301 - Southbury USA TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.435 LES 305 - Thermopylae Greece TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.455 LES 304 - EIK Telenor Norway TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.465 LES 328 - Sentosa Singapore TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.485 LES 302 - Stratos Burum Netherlands TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.495 LES 311 - Beijing MCN China TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.705 LES 312 - Stratos Global Australia TDMA BPSK 1200bps (local = 1) 1539.772 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.777 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1539.945 LES 341 - Vishipel Viewnam (IOR) TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.975 LES 317 - Nudol Morsviasputnik Russia TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1540.948 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1540.958 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1540.968 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D (reserved channel) 1540.978 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D (reserved channel) 1541.460 6Kbps BPSK Inmarsat-B/M spot beam 1542.900 BGAN 1545.00500 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK GES 301 Eik 1545.08000 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK GES 305 Perth 1545.19000 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK NCS 1546.0175 Aero-I control / messaging 1546.0625 Aero-I control / messaging 1546.0775 Aero-I control / messaging 109.02E !!accurate frequency info needed!! Inmarsat 2F4 143.2E 1535.1430 Skyfire DGPS 1200Bd BPSK Inmarsat 4F1 1535.1825 P2MP 2438.1Bd Fugro SeaStar DGPS {id=0xEB31 scr=0x3041} 1545.010 AERO-I 1200Bd GMSK LES, Idle/Zeroes 1545.023 AERO-I 1200Bd GMSK LES, Idle/Zeroes 1545.103 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK, NCS 1546.455 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK, NCS 1546.465 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES, 0x71? Idle/Zeroes 1546.475 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES, 0x71? Idle/Zeroes 1546.485 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES, 0x71? Idle/Zeroes 1546.495 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES, 0x71? Idle/Zeroes 178.04E 1526.290 Std-B LES:FC ChID:1 ChFN:2 Beam:05 Inmarsat 3F3 1526.290 Std-B LES 0xFC (tnx trango) 1528.290 Std-B LES:FC ChID:1 ChFN:2 Beam:06 (and r00t) 1528.300 Std-B LES:FC ChID:1 ChFN:2 Beam:04 (26/03/09) 1528.300 Std-B LES 0xFC 1530.765 Std-Mini-M data 1530.925 Std-Mini-M data 1532.480 Std-B LES:FC ChID:1 ChFN:2 Beam:02 1535.015 P2MP 2438.1BPSK Fugro SeaStar DGPS {ID=0x2873 SCR=0x3041} 1535.105 Veripos DGPS correction data BPSK 2438bps 1535.115 Seastar DGPS point to multipoint BPSK 2438bps 1535.135 SkyFire DGPS 1200BPSK 1536.670 Std-B LES:FC ChID:1 ChFN:2 Beam:01 1536.920 Std-B LES:00 ChID:1 ChFN:A Beam:01 1537.320 Std-B NCS 1537.590 Std-B LES 0xFC 1537.600 Std-B LES:FC ChID:1 ChFN:3 Beam:00 1537.865 Std-D tfc ch 1537.870 ID 202 - MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D Bulletin Board 1538.220 Std-M / Mini-M NCS 1539.505 LES 212 - Stratos Burum Netherlands TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.515 LES 203 - KDDI Yamaguchi Japan TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.595 LES 204 - EIK Telenor Norway TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.605 LES 210 - Sentosa Singapore TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.615 LES 221 - France Telecom MSC TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.625 LES 202 - Stratos Global New Zealand Auckland TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.635 LES 217 - Nudol Morsviasputnik Russia TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1539.995 LES 211 - Beijing MCN China TDMA BPSK 1200bps 1541.0175 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1541.0275 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1541.0375 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1541.0475 MFSK slow rate data 20bd Inmarsat-D 1541.450 LES 244 - NCS 1542.378 Std-B LES:00 ChID:1 ChFN:A Beam:00 BGAN 33.6 !! 1542.380 BGAN 33.6kbps 1545.000 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-202 Santa Paula 1545.025 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-??? (no tfc in recording) 1545.030 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-205 Perth 1545.035 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-??? (no tfc in recording) 1545.040 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-202 Santa Paula 1545.090 AERO-I 600Bd GMSK LES GES-205 Perth 1545.940 1200BPSK unknown proto 1546.035 BGAN narrowband 1546.045 BGAN narrowband 1546.060 BGAN narrowband 1546.765 Std-B LES:00 ChID:1 ChFN:A Beam:04 1547.635 Std-B LES:00 ChID:1 ChFN:A Beam:02 1548.780 BGAN narrowband on demand 1548.825 Std-B LES:00 ChID:1 ChFN:A Beam:06 1548.995 Std-B LES:00 ChID:1 ChFN:A Beam:05 Weather Satellites (Low Earth Orbiters) Metop-A 1701.300 HRPT QPSK 1544.500 SARSAT transponder Meteor-M1 1700.000 HRPT QPSK TBC 1705.000 HRPT QPSK TBC NOAA 15 1702.500 HRPT QPSK NOAA 16 1702.500 HRPT QPSK NOAA 17 1698.000 HRPT QPSK NOAA 18 1702.500 HRPT QPSK NOAA 19 1698.000 HRPT QPSK Feng Yun 1D 1700.400 HRPT QPSK Galileo LEO 1176.450 DSSS 23MHz b/w See chart below 1196.910 DSSS 23MHz b/w 1202.025 DSSS 23MHz b/w 1269.031 DSSS 18MHz b/w 1271.077 DSSS 20MHz b/w 1276.192 DSSS 23MHz b/w 1278.750 DSSS 23MHz b/w 1281.307 DSSS 23MHz b/w 1286.422 DSSS 23MHz b/w 1288.468 DSSS 23MHz b/w 1561.186 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1564.050 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1565.190 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1569.486 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1573.987 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1576.852 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1581.353 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1585.650 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1586.789 DSSS 4MHz b/w 1589.653 DSSS 4MHz b/w

Iridium LEO 1616-1626.5 Iridium Phone to Satellite (Thanks to IW for this info) Simplex Channel 1616-1626.5 Satellite to Iridium Phone/Pager 1 1626.020833 Guard Channel 2 1626.062500 Guard Channel 3 1626.104167 Quaternary Messaging 4 1626.145833 Tertiary Messaging 5 1626.187500 Guard Channel 6 1626.229167 Guard Channel 7 1626.270833 Ring Alert 8 1626.312500 Guard Channel 9 1626.354167 Guard Channel 10 1626.395833 Secondary Messaging 11 1626.437500 Primary Messaging 12 1626.479167 Guard Channel Duplex Channels Lower Edge Upper Edge 1 1616.000000 1616.333333 2 1616.333333 1616.666667 3 1616.666667 1617.000000 4 1617.000000 1617.333333 5 1617.333333 1617.666667 6 1617.666667 1618.000000 7 1618.000000 1618.333333 8 1618.333333 1618.666667 9 1618.666667 1619.000000 10 1619.000000 1619.333333 11 1619.333333 1619.666667 12 1619.666667 1620.000000 3 1620.000000 1620.333333 14 1620.333333 1620.666667 15 1620.666667 1621.000000 16 1621.000000 1621.333333 17 1621.333333 1621.666667 18 1621.666667 1622.000000 19 1622.000000 1622.333333 20 1622.333333 1622.666667 21 1622.666667 1623.000000 22 1623.000000 1623.333333 23 1623.333333 1623.666667 24 1623.666667 1624.000000 25 1624.000000 1624.333333 26 1624.333333 1624.666667 27 1624.666667 1625.000000 28 1625.000000 1625.333333 29 1625.333333 1625.666667 30 1625.666667 1626.000000 GLONASS Constellation L1 1598.0625 & 1607.0625 (1603.700 xBr recording) L2 1242.9375 & 1249.9375 L3/L5 1198.546875 & 1205.296875 GPS MEO Constellation L1 1575.420 (xBr recording) L2 1227.600

AFSTAR POD - Inmarsat C transceive antenna - ideal for use in an L-band receive system.

The picture below shows the PCB layout. On the left hand side, the power amplifier can clearly be seen. The PA consists of 5 microwave transistors; The part numbers, going in a counter-clockwise direction are : 2 X 2SC2340, MRA1600-2, MRA1600-13 and the final is an MRA564. This is also the path that the transmit RF takes, although it's passed through a gain block first, after the input duplexer. On the right hand side, the receive section is shown. The receive path is: Front end antenna duplexer followed by a 2 stage low noise gasfet preamp, followed by a helical filter centred on 1553.25 with a bandwidth of 46Mhz. This filter is then followed by a gain block (8 pin sm IC) and another filter centred on 1553.25 with a bandwidth of 46Mhz. Finally, another gain block, and then into the output duplexer which feeds the N connector coax feed. There is a DC tap from the N connector, and this supplies voltage to the PSU circuits.

A	Ground
B	TX/RX Control (+VDC Transmit)
C	Power control (+VDC = High power)
D	Control Return (Ground - can be connected to A)
E	Transmit Indicator (output)
F	HPA over temperature indicator (output)

The reason for the additional ground on pin D is as follows: Blue water ships often use isolated grounding to help prevent electrolytic actions taking place. In an amateur environment, it is possible to connect pins A and D together. (Thanks to JDN for this info) Pins B,C and D are all opto isolated.

The pictures below shows the omni-directional antenna that's used in the pod antenna. As far as can be told, it seems to be a set of phased 1/2 wave antenna's. There is a phasing harness between the two aluminium discs, and this outputs to the duplexer input on the above PCB. The antenna is not suitable for feeding a dish, as it's omni-directional and right hand circular. The antenna works very well attached directly to a GPS, although if its to be used for wider coverage at L-Band, then the internal filters will need removing and replacing with semi rigid links.

1694.500 digital weather data dissemination	Meteosat 0w data
Iridium satellite downlinks at 1616-1626.5 MHz	AOR-W Inmarsat MFSK channels (cf=1539.765MHz)
COSPAR-SARSAT downlink on 1544.500MHz	GLONASS downlink on 1603.700MHz
L3 Military GPS receiver board for guided missiles	Anti-jam GPS antenna cluster from Raytheon
21E Afristar 1491.699MHz TT&C

(above) Modified antenna suitable for feeding a dish.	(above) Original onmi-directional antenna
(above) Omni antenna removed for GPS use.