The Heavens are Alive!!!

1. Obtain a free copy of SatScape available on the Web.
2. Procure a simple police scanner capable of receiving the frequencies 144.000 to
148.000 and 435.000 to 440.000 MHz. If you can not one that receives both the 144-148
range will work, it will limit choices of satellites.
3. If possible construct a simple antenna as outlined at http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=16059 (Any local Ham Radio operator would be glad to help. If you can not build the antenna it would limit your operation to carrying everything outside in the clear. Satellite signals do not penetrate buildings very well.
4. Discuss what an orbit is, and the factors acting on a satellite are.
5. Run the program SatScape and select the proper satellite ( the predictor portion helps a bunch). The frequency to be monitored will appear in the program, program this frequency into the scanner. Watch the time very carefully.
6. Satscape will announce the satellite as it approaches if you turn on the speach function.
7. If you set everything up correctly all of a sudden a noisy signal will come across the scanner. It will get stronger as it rises in the sky then get progressively weaker. Passes are only 3 to 10 minutes in length.
8. Repeat process as necessary

More info: www.arrl.org choose the EDUCATION Tab.