How To Receive Images Directly From NOAA Satellites

[@dougtaylor7724]

Nowadays everyone says things are easy as they blow through 15 drop downs and make 20 changes, load different drivers and move files. I’m not from the computer age and things like this are a terror to people like me. Thanks for showing all the steps and making videos like this.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for watching!

[@martinzsibok1586]

I have seen so many videos of this. But this video is the clearest! Thanks for the info

[@oldricky]

Great video! I am currently taking a HAM course to have communications on my pocket trawler that I intend on doing a lot of cruising in my retirement. Since Marine band VHF is so limited with line of sight, HAM is the answer for me. The ability to pull NOAA images using your compatable 2 meter antenna can be crucial when planning long open passages. Thank you so much for the informative post.

[@danluzurriaga6035]

There is a video where a really young kid went outside, received NOAA 19 with a baofeng, recorded the sound on his iphone, transferred to audio to a PC, converted it to the right kind of WAV file and then used the same program to view the picture. Worked great, no SDR reciver required, just a Baifeng and an iPhone. Used similar satellite pass software.

[@KarlWitsman]

One of the best explanations of this that I've seen. Thanks!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks for watching.

[@stridermt2k]

Great video Josh! Amazing I JUST put a sat monitoring station together using an RSP1a, an old core i7 Optiplex 990 SFF and a V dipole that I built and hung off the end of the soffit outside my 2nd floor window. Great timing! I considered using an RTL-based SDR for my project, but the SDRPlay SDRs have the kind of low signal specs one wants in an application such as this. It isn't that the RTLs can't be used, and indeed they would work for this application, it's just that the SDRPlay units have the specs that make them optimal. I did put a little money into the hardware, but it is a solid stand-alone ground station for less than 200 total that is also an awesome backup for my main ham radio PC if I need it. 73 DE N2NLQ!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Very nice using the Optiplex for a stand-alone unit.

[@timbit7845]

Cheap easy way to play with radio. Inspired me to get my ham license last year.

[@xffx-sk1dv]

best radio channel in the whole world

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@kd8ocz]

I know what my project is going to be after work. Thanks I was wanting to do this and was try figer out how to do it again your a life saver.

[@technoant6850]

Great informative video and tutorial just picked up the RTL SDR V3 so just getting to grips with the dongle cheers and thank you from the UK

[@bill-2018]

I watched another video but yours has more information. I listened two weeks ago to NOAA 19 and decided I need to see some pictures. I used an FT817 and 4 element horizontal outdoor collinear for 2m. I need to make up a cable from the 817 to my computer running Linux Xubuntu version. G4GHB.

[@ranchosinnombreannjimmy8427]

The Best SDR vid I've ever seen

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!

[@1crazynordlander]

So in theory a person could have a website that could be automated with all this info and if you had a weather station like a Davis or Lacrosse you could put all your local weather data on it also and not even require a ham license to accomplish this. You could be a freaking Al Roker or Willard Scott! Wow!

[@calvinhobbes7504]

Great video sir .... and thanks as usual. I'm still having a little trouble with my RTL-SDR running SDR#, as I can't quite get the sensitivity good enough to copy a usable picture. I'm using only a Vee-dipole, but I expected a better signal. I've tried copying using the VHF portion of my Icom 746pro but it doesn't track the doppler, and even with the preamp running, the signal ain't that hot. I guess I'm gonna have to put a little more horsepower into building a better antenna. For now I'm copying satellite pix from the NOAA HF stations, But I refuse to give up!! :)

[@any1alive]

if you can use the dipole withthe right degrees, you can load up the shape onyour monitor and hold it infront of it, once they are extended to the right length its usually good, you can try without a extension, and use a long usb cable for less losses, and try and point v, towards or away from the pass,

[@denniskimrey4129]

Great video Josh. Can't wait to try it.

[@neomatrix2722]

Thank you for thank you so much for sharing my buddy of mine kind of showed me a little bit about this and I really want to get involved but I want to go high level so that I can have a antenna mounted on my cabin outside what would you recommend

[@gobeyondnow]

You might consider updating this video (if you haven't already.) There has been a change in the Kepler Update procedure that requires a proxy workaround file added to WXtoImg. If there's a more up to date method available I'd like to hear about it, thanks!

[@anthonybateson1339]

Could you please post the proxy workaround Thank you.

[@GenreFluid]

Any chance of a tutorial for doing the automatic mode?

[@angelscomputers]

Thanks so much, works wonderful, Im running an SDRDuo with one side for 20m WSPR and now the other side for NOAA Images. Now a video of how to setup this automatically? pleeeeaseee ;-)

[@tarunkumarm7890]

nice and clean steps what the sample Rate is best for down link the data from the NOAA

[@DavidS-iw4ei]

Nice job Ambassador Josh.

[@LCARAHAMRadio]

Great video on NOAA weather satellite maps. I read about this in the Angry American books, Going Home series. Now with this information we can duplicate the setup. KY4BDP LCARA

[@45Unit]

Good video. Nice to see your a connoisseur of eating fire too. It's not hot if your nose doesn't run like a faucet.

[@SteelWolf13]

02:27 Wayne's World in the background starts to play :)

[@KE8UYV]

Hey Josh.. I finally had the time to receive a decent image today. I just couldn't figure out how to do it on my raspberry pi 4, so I bought a refurbished MacBook yesterday and got it set up with my SDR. Image wasn't too bad, but I don't seem to have a map overlay. Maybe my image is within state lines? Not sure, but I'll have another go at it tomorrow. I just have a homebrew v dipole and the nooelec sawbird+NOAA amplifier hooked up to my nesdr. I believe I'll be buying the nooelec setup for GOES soon. I've got the SDR bug pretty fierce now!!

[@beansurfin]

If you were going to use a radio through a Signalink versus SDR, would all the settings remain the same? Also, thanks for all the videos and info you share. Super helpful.

[@ryanwolfe2219]

As far as I understand it, as long as you have a way to get the recieved audio to the software, it should be able to work.

[@CC58]

Looks like it does same thing as 1990s Hamcom interface you could build with an open loop op amp fed into PC serial port handshake signal. Use SSB radio to feed Hamcom box. SSTV from NOAA.

[@chucksw1]

good video i learned something new today!

[@spsam8333]

Very helpful, thank you

[@KM4ALT]

Just fyi... the kepler update has become an issue. I have tried both suggested fixes, and the wxtoproxy seems to be easiest.

[@nathanhamble2449]

Hello! I'm curious about the madness. Do you think it's possible to do this by connecting your Ham radio directly to your computer? (UV25x2 with programming cable or audio cable) if the sdr receiver is just for receiving, was curious if it's possible to use what I already have that connected to the antenna lol thank!

[@n1vca]

Many thanks for sharing - the presetting of the decoder app isn't exactly common sense, so your help is very useful. Did you see this noise pattern on your spectrum when there is supposed to be no signal? That looks like your USB isn't shielded properly or some switching power supply is not properly filtered - receiving that over the enormous noise gives me hope to receive a clear image as well.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was likely a battery bank I had by it working on something else.

[@bill-2018]

Hi Josh, I just tried for NOAA 18 with a microphone from my 817 speaker but the signal from NOAA 18 is not strong which is why I think I got a grainy picture and impossible to see anything. Attic h.f. dipoles work better than my outdoor 2m collinear. It's a start and I think a better aerial needed to get a stronger signal. G4GHB. Partial success! Collinear better this time. NOAA 18 again. I think it's where the satellite goes over me, east shielded by the house. Not perfectly clear but the aerial is low. I don't think I decoded it last time. I'm learning. Success today, Saturday! I Put my dipole outside and received the best pictures yet. I think crossed dipoles now.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Collin ear is going to depend a lot on the pass.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Too vertical and your antenna null is going lower the signal quality.

[@bill-2018]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks for the replies. I've thrown together a dipole cut for 137 MHz yesterday and see how that works, got to be better than something off resonance at 137 like my dipoles or collinear, but need to get it outside. I hope this high noise level I experience won't affect reception because on h.f. due to broadband QRM I get S8 noise and sometimes on 2m I get S5 - S8 noise! I do wonder if it is because one pass of a satellite yesterday was pretty strong. It's killing amateur radio for me which is why I thought of receiving wx satellites.

[@brandongotzpowers]

My sdr is comeing tomorrow and I can finally track weather

[@peterdekeles.]

Thanks for the video. A separate video on the building antenna?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s already up.

[@peterdekeles.]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse thanks

[@BalzOnYer4Head]

Thumbs up for the OD Rangeman. Its my go to watch for most days.

[@brodycolegrove8253]

Awesome thanks for the video! I have been attempting to receive images for a couple days on my RTL-SDR and have not had much of a success. I followed your guide changing some settings, hopefully, that does it!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Let me know how it goes!

[@brodycolegrove8253]

Ham Radio Crash Course definitely got my best image yet, it’s still very noisy. I think maybe the antenna that came in the RTL-SDR kit just needs an upgrade. Time to head over to your other video and try and copy that one.

[@wingless7690]

All of us sdr guys use some form of thinkpads 😂 I especially love that I can see my screen in the Florida sun

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thinkpads are fantastic!

[@wingless7690]

Ham Radio Crash Course they really are! Mine is a revival from 2012 and it runs great even with a sandy bridge processor and ddr3

[@HalfAHandyman]

I cant get the WXtoImg software to open in Win 10. Tired running the compatibility troubleshooter with no success. Any suggestions?

[@TheCdnBoy]

Difficulties here also. Crashes when I attempt to update the Satellite pass.

[@randym4077]

Can the Weather To Image program change the frequency on SDR Sharp for each satellite pass, or do you have to just leave it listening for one particular satellite if you don't want to be there to change it manually every time.

[@_broody2853]

Great video. Ordered the RTL-SDR Blog V3 due to another video of yours. Can that dongle handle this as well? And was wondering what sdr software you're using on windows. Looks very clean. Thanks a lot, greetings from Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

That RTL should be fine. Most usb sticks will handle vhf uhf just fine. There is a website “big SDR Software list” that I download from. Google it, plenty of cool apps out there to try.

[@ME10920]

Hey Broody how did you get on with the RTL? What antenna did you use?

[@af4od02]

Neat. I’m gonna try it!

[@showmequick2245]

What kind of camera are you using ? It’s like crisp clear.. on my tv lol

[@josephtweedie9164]

Is there an app version that can be done with an SDR dongle for a phone?

[@sparta2v]

In Record>Image settings what do i choose to get a normal satelitte image? Now i only get a very rough image with dots... Or is there a tutorial/manuel to choose the right settings? By the way; great video, thank you! Greetings from Hungary.

[@yerdyi]

Would this work if I put my antenna in the attic or does it require a clear line of sight?

[@h4l0Pwn]

Does the WxtoImg software still work?

[@random_guy1024]

Hi.. I really like your video...... but in my country finding SDR is quite tough..... BUT somehow I've managed to get one called "RTL-SDR" that can receive 100KHz to 1.7 GHz....... Will it work for this project? I''ve got it form china cause we don't have amazon here.

[@mikem5043]

Would I be able to receive GOES images with model 1004B receiver and a 1006B demodulator? (Both made by Synergetics International) I understand I also need antenna, display, etc...

[@DoktorSchaedel]

This is cool and all but have you tried the meteor m2 with happysats fully automatical image recorder? You can basically get full HD coloured images in real time

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

That is on my list.

[@DoktorSchaedel]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse cool my images are stunning. Europe from above is beautiful. But it's a shame that I have to pay to access the geostationary meteosat sattelites. You guys have it much easier with your goes sattelites

[@SmeeUncleJoe]

Anymore insights on SDRUno ? Is it free ? Can it work with the Nooelec dongles ? I keep hearing the abbreviated acronym "RSP". What is an RSP ?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Google it.

[@rickcarlsen8724]

Do you have a link to the video showing the construction of the antenna. Thanks!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No. It’s just a really simple dipole using copper plumbing.

[@mikekaffetzakis]

After i see your video i set up again my ic-pcr1000 receiver and waiting for satellite pass i was using this program in 90's with my windows 98

[@n6hpx]

can I use a Diamond X-50 antenna I have one at 50ft in the air and hear the bird here on 137.9125

[@MKhanfar-MWK]

What's your g shock model ? Range man?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes. Great watch.

[@brianwalton3016]

Hi does it make a difference which way your V is pointing does it have to be South ? The satellite is coming from the South. However there's a house and trees when pointing South so North facing its better.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Try it and you tell me.

[@dfmayes]

Where does the baud rate come from? I don't think the SDRPlay uses a COM port.

[@harleymandk]

What about using a Rasp Berry PI 4??

[@namugwanyamarypatience7039]

My installation for wxtimg does not finish the green bar. What could be the cause?

[@imoldovan]

Good stuff. How do we do this on linux??

[@danluzurriaga6035]

Wut's linux?

[@samsaladino2149]

Tried to install and all it does is install 4 text files, in the wxtoimg folder, doesn't do anything else including any kind of program files. Nothing in my Start Menu to start any programs. Maybe a dead program now? Any other suggestions.

[@Eric10179]

Is there any production antennas you can get that are optimized for receiving NOAA Satellites or do you always have to make your own?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good question, I don't really know. Alot of people make circularly polarized antennas

[@chadhughes6745]

What type of antenna are you using?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I showed it on the video. It's a dipole built from 3d printed parts and copper tubing.

[@mikec00566]

Can you set SDRplay 1a to auto control wxtoimg

[@georgewalker1206]

Great video very informative, WXtoIMG won't instal on my Mac, it keeps saying image data corrupted as soon as I open the installer, any ideas?

[@georgewalker1206]

Never mind just re-downloaded it and it worked

[@timjx3675]

Fantastic project - im 3d printing antenna piece now !

[@alphanumeric2702]

I was wondering about your antenna setup. Any chance you can share some info?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I did a live stream building the antenna.

[@blackhole4374]

Hi bro, how can I know the baud rate for RTL-SDR because I use RTL-SDR Blog R820T2 RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO SMA Software Defined Radio (Dongle Only)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Google it, or try them all.

[@K3RRR]

Great video Josh… I already have all the "stuff"… I need to find an hour to download the imaging software, get it set up and get it integrated with my tracking software…73 de Robert K3RRR

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Give it a shot and send me some images on Twitter!

[@rrri223]

Is there a turn-key seller that provides a HF radio, Antenna, Software and pre-amp ?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Sort of. Contact Ham Radio Outlet and they can help more.

[@mumi009]

What about using a regular TRX with audio interface?

[@matiasramos2409]

The TRX has to be able to have a bandwidth of 40 khz, if it can not you still can do it, you’re going to lose info though

[@cmritchie04]

What would a pre amp on the antenna do?

[@bill-2018]

Hello again. I downloaded the Linux 64 bit but it didn't download one folder so I just downloaded Linux RPM and all folders shown now so I'll see how it goes. Don't get Linux if you don't like messing about. I like it 'cos it's cheap. Cheap as in FREE. Right, something is happening now after I went into Terminal. I put in my location, so I'll play around with it and see how things work. G4GHB. Update: I couldn't even hear the satellite which was supposedly going over me. I'm not sure why because I did hear NOAA 19 two weeks ago. I seem to remember I used my h.f. attic dipoles at that time so maybe a dedicated 137 MHz aerial will be the thing to use. Update to my update: I woke up this morning and realised I was looking at my computer clock which is BST and not GMT or UTC! No wonder I heard nothing. It wasn't there. Still, an aerial cut for 137 MHz has got to be better than h.f. dipoles or my 144 MHz collinear.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Good luck!

[@denelson83]

Now try the same thing with a GOES satellite.

[@Justalaunchlover2421]

Do you know if you can directly connect the raw wires to your sdr by cutting the wire that came with the sdr and then splice them with the raw cables of your dipole antenna? Because I don't have Connectors and i don't want to break my sdr or my laptop.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Like bypass the connector?? Sma cable are cheap. Just buy some sma cables.

[@Justalaunchlover2421]

I mean if instead of connecting each rod into the connector and then use a cable to connect it to the sdr, you just connect it directly to the cable that goes out of the sdr, without having a connector in the middle.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It *should* work. But don’t blame me if it doesn’t 😅

[@Tire_Smoke]

Great show, nasty pizza lol 73 K9ZF

[@brandongotzpowers]

What is the upgrade key help

[@C41NUS]

So the nearest repeaters from me are about 30 miles or so. Is there an antenna I could use for a HT to be able to receive. My current stock antenna does not.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

A flexible j-pole will likely do it.

[@danielrecker6644]

Do any other satellites do this?

[@jefflowe8803]

I have a SDR Dongle and WXtoimg (beta)wont update

[@TheCubbyman61]

Hi, why is it that i loose the monitoring audio output of SDR when i activate the v-b cable when decoding a NOAA satellite thru WXtoImg ? I just sit silently watching the screen printing the sat picture. I temporarily am using my random length wire antenna, can't use my homemade v-dipole yet outside because of the cold and rain. Thanks.

[@evmanbutts]

Because VB-Cable is acting as an audio cable connection between programs. If you were to unplug your headphones and plug in a cable to a recorder, you would also lose monitoring unless you set it up separately. An easy fix is to right click the volume icon, click sounds, go to the "recording" tab and double click the VB-CABLE output that WXtoIMG is listening to and check the box that says "Listen to this device"

[@TheCubbyman61]

@@evmanbutts Thanks for the tip, I will try it 😀

[@farhanniloy595]

does cheap sdr's listen to setellites

[@jamesybabyevans1679]

How do u set up for doppler calibration

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The application handles that.

[@jamesybabyevans1679]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse also the antenna you are using do you face the antenna north

[@TyeDougherty]

What is that style of coax adapter called

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Whichever adapter you need to go from your sdr (likely sma) to your coax.

[@bynlb]

I hate when I try to learn new ham radio stuff and these wont work anymore. I know its been 4 years, but this software wont even install. It just crashes. It sometimes feels like ham radio tools are kind of being abbandoned.

[@RynaxAlien]

Possible on Android phone?

[@TwstedTV]

I just tried this, follow the steps to the letter. I get back an ERR: Error - waveIn Open failed (check soundcard in options -> Recording Options)! I put it exactly how the video says - Cable Output (VB Audio) 22050 sample rate, baud 57600. My AirSPY is set to Cable Input (VB Audio). I dont know whats going on....... Im so lost now. 😭

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Many have followed to the letter and got it working, so Idk?

[@KE4NAB]

So i know this video is a little old.....could i use my 7300 to do this?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No, you need a higher frequency radio.

[@Kodo-Nashi]

Yo what's up. Not first

[@FailedSquare]

Update keplers fails with a 301 error.

[@jeremy-ex9yk]

Does this mean its not able to be used anymore? Josh@HamRadioCrashCourse, another option now? new video maybe? thanks for all u do for the hobby!

[@svseaorc8609]

Great Video 73, de KB5FSG

[@vawa_82]

Hey guys is there a way to find satellite images by specific date and time? It looks like I found this vid by mistake but I figure to ask anyway and I'm willing to pay for the service if need be.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

If you captured the images, sure.

[@MsFred58]

Mine wont pick up a thing! Sending it back!! No more SDR for me.

[@Jay-hr9ci]

Is there anything like this in VK?

[@itswift]

The NOAA sats work world wide.

[@adammargery3935]

same setup but you will need to manually input your location. (minus##) -## for lat and ### for lon and will work fine. i live in vk

[@hopeofnope8553]

Does anyone have suggestions for a vhf radio I can use for search and rescue

[@Nacho.100]

Hello, Its look like the WXtolmg on the website is broken. I cannot open the dmg in a Mac

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I use Windows. Software works fine then.

[@Nacho.100]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks. I just received the Noaa 15, 18 and 19 with a old tv antena, but nothing from the ISS.

[@pradyunsharma2903]

why my images shift horizontally?

[@aulii11]

very interesting, but a bit over my head.

[@mineland66]

Help I need a solution, kepler doesn't update, try it yourself and you will see. Pls help

[@mineland66]

Nothing, nothing, I figured it out

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yeah. There is a new workaround. Looks like you found it! Good on you!

[@mineland66]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Wow, you are really into this channel, although you have 1,5K videos, you answered my comment in just two hours, keep doing this 👍

[@Lagfix_1]

@@mineland66 how?

[@olising8843]

Can you explain the workaround pls? idk what to do.

[@Yelnats101]

i dont get anything. static, i dont get it :/

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Then you’re doing something wrong.

[@Yelnats101]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I don’t think so. I can get all kinds of stations. From One end to the other. I just get nothing from noaa. I can receive signals on all bands. It’s weird