Receiving Targeted Message From Russian Satellite

Recently I was contacted by the ground controller for the UmKA-1 or RS40S cubesat. It's a small educational satellite assembled by a Russian high school, originally for astronomy but also for amateur radio. They wanted to send me a message at a specific time in the satellite's orbit and see if I could receive it. This took a couple tries, but eventually I got an SSTV picture from the cubesat. I was also able to decode some of the telemetry signals and look at the satellite's electrical system details. This is the first time I've tried to do anything with a cubesat, so it was kind of neat!
Some more info on the satellite is here: space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/u...
The decoding software is here: github.com/Foxiks/UmKA-1_Tele...
I had more luck with this software to decode telemetry (along with the Soundmodem package from the github link):
sputnix.ru/en/satellites-sput...
To decode the SSTV signals, I used this software:
hamsoft.ca/pages/mmsstv.php
I used this antenna:
amzn.to/3UXQdxK
I like the RTL-SDR Blog series of software defined radios for stuff like this:
amzn.to/3Ig3t9a
(if you buy stuff from these links, Amazon gives me a commission)
Saveitforparts t-shirts and other merch at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.com/
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @saveitforparts
Or support me via Patreon at / saveitforparts
Check out gadgets and devices I like at www.amazon.com/shop/saveitfor...

[@MrFujinko]

Dude is neck deep in signals intelligence at this point.

[@plop386]

the image is saying " spatial telescope " so it's just a student stuff. the only way out of ISS still soyouz and it's russian. science people still work together even if there is a war ongoing.

[@W8RIT1]

wellll....I wouldn't go THAT far.... there are still puh-lenty of other ways to be "neck deep" in sigint. There are even a smaller segment of hobbyists who are interested in EAMs, and that's only one of the ways. Last week I recorded a small video of my reception of a Cuban numbers transmission station...also sending a picture, by DRM

[@jacobp8294]

@@W8RIT1you should upload that.

[@W8RIT1]

@@jacobp8294 I did...just for you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmfRYpaqbNaVpJo Nothing much here other than the noise of DRM, used in Europe, which they are using for picture transmission. I'm uploading the other clip on the same freq just b4 this with the audio for the Spanish numbers station that will follow

[@W8RIT1]

@@jacobp8294 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmfRYpaqbNaVpJo

[@lbgstzockt8493]

The whole naming scheme is something straight from half-life.

[@Boerkie1990]

more like the other way around since half life was inspired by the soviet union, but yeah :)

[@dougtaylor7724]

“There are no English instructions for this on the internet.” Never slowed him down before.

[@lutello3012]

My friend wants me to get into HAM in case of apocalypse, I just want to broadcast memes in SSTV.

[@Sven_Dongle]

Doubt if SHTF you will have to worry about FCC licensing.

[@lutello3012]

@@Sven_Dongle Guess I can't broadcast A24 movies in NTSC.

[@lionelfelix6631]

Space memes. IFL this.

[@almosthuman4457]

I fully support this and hope to decode images of Wheatley from Portal 2 as he gets sucked into the vacuum of space.

[@wickedmuffin76]

Just ham, not HAM, it isn't an acronym.

[@HolyCannolis]

This is fascinating. 📡 🐻‍❄️ Officially making it on every gov’t list in the most entertaining way possible.

[@John-wd5cb]

Why scare the ppl?

[@firehazemt]

NSA prob already was listening to

[@apIthletIcc]

​@@firehazemtits never not listening, idk what people dont get about that.

[@TheAwillz]

@@John-wd5cbthey want us eating crayons

[@peterfairlie2296]

Gabe, I just got a call from colleague in Moscow about this video. It seems you're about to become really famous in Russia.

[@kjl9887]

He's already pretty famous in Russia :)

[@saveitforparts]

I'll have to try more international cubesats! I'm working on some automated antenna aimers so I don't have to hold the antenna myself and trip over the wires 😅

[@jplacido9999]

​@@saveitforparts The call was from FSB....😂😂😂😂 (joke...😂😂)

[@APT4308]

@@saveitforpartsthis tech can be used for intelligence exfil. Be careful! I love your channel

[@occamraiser]

Go back to Moscow if you have friends there Quisling.

[@pappyjohn8142]

I have no clue how or why i started watching this channel. Heck i dont even know half the stuff we talk about. YET I LOOK FORWARD TO NEW VIDEOS EVERY WEEK!!!

[@Mountainmonths]

that velcro yagi and phone setup is pretty slick

[@saveitforparts]

It fell off a few times, but if you get it to stick solidly then it's pretty handy!

[@W8RIT1]

@@saveitforparts that's what I'd be afraid of...my klutzy self dropping it and cracking the screen. I need a solution to mount an HT to an Arrow antenna, with a speaker/mic, as well as a small audio recorder.

[@ivolol]

@@saveitforparts If you need "easy" (short?) video ideas, that might be a good one. Buy X antenna, Y cable, Z SDR receiver, and here is how to setup your phone & software as a satellite receiver and listen/record to

[@harambeduck4110]

you could try to 3d print a solid mount for that setup @@saveitforparts

[@ferrumignis]

@@saveitforparts Maybe a 3D printed phone holder that you could screw to the end of the antenna would be possible? If you are feeling really keen you could combine a phone holder and a pistol grip to make holding and aiming the antenna more comfortable.

[@fredWaxBeans11111]

Very very cool! I love my SDR. I have downloaded SSTV images from the ISS, but getting an image from a little cube satellite, especially from someone with whom you corresponded is just extra cool.

[@supercompooper]

Спасибо, товарищ, следующие полезные нагрузки будут включать в себя комбинаторные полиномы, о которых мы договорились.

[@ostrov11]

... "слоны идут на север".

[@drctrs]

:)))

[@cherrymountains72]

Hahaha! ❤

[@PsRohrbaugh]

Eh between the short transmit window and low power, it'd be pretty hard to intercept unless you knew what you were looking for.

[@wrevenaugh]

Gabe, I almost NEVER comment on youtube videos (and I watch and appreciate AAAA LOTTT of youtube) but I almost feel obligated to let you know how much I appreciate you and your channel. I came across Saveitforparts (pretty much my mantra too, for about 50 years now, lol) a few weeks ago when I began using my SDR to get NOAA images (what a blast) and you really helped me quite a but there. I, of course, subscribed right away and started watching many of your other vids. But the reason I feel compelled to comment is just to let you know how much I appreciate your modest approach - You just seem like such a GOOD DUDE! So many people on youtube are so freakin full of themselves and they just don't seem to realize we are all pretty smart too and immediately click right out of their world forever. YOU on the other hand GET IT! You are transparent, honest, unapologetic and probably the thing we like the most about you is your willingness to laugh at yourself from time to time. Your humility - a trait not much seen these days - is greatly appreciated, and identified with. BTW, love the idea of the split screen on the phone setup, gonna do that for sure. I live in an apartment and I look like such a wack-job out there with my laptop and a di-pole - (like I should have the requisite tin-foil hat, too) 🤣🤣. Keep up the great work man, just love it. Bill

[@saveitforparts]

Thanks! I started the channel as an excuse to use hoarded junk and finish some projects, not to become famous or anything! Glad you enjoy it!

[@SonOfSofaman]

This is very cool. How many people can claim they received a direct message from orbit?

[@W8RIT1]

Actually that answer might surprise you. The Int'l Space Station astronauts and cosmonauts regularly set up scheduled radio contacts with schools. I haven't had the opportunity to talk with an astronaut, but I have used the ISS as a repeater...sometimes talking with pretty local friends, but usually a few states away. Then there are all sorts of other satellites. I am decoding ACARS from aircraft from a geostationary Inmarsat satellite. Another SDR channel had a video of Brazilian truckers and taxi drivers talking as pirates on a US Navy military satellite. I've also decoded images from NOAA satellites

[@JJJ-zs5nw]

I used satcoms before.

[@John-wd5cb]

->👽

[@SonOfSofaman]

​@@W8RIT1I had no Idea! That's really cool.

[@fonephreak02]

🙋🏽🙋🏽🙋🏽 but that was a long time ago. Mir space station

[@jampskan5690]

I appreciate your use of hand gestures and your enthusiasm in your videos, as well as the random building of things dealing primarily with radio related things. Would love to visit Sand Land one day this summer!

[@More_Row]

probably the first person in history who got a ransomeware beamed directly from a small foreign satellite. (jokes)

[@AnnaCentauri]

lmao

[@ncot_tech]

He just now needs to stand outside at 3am with a transmitter to send the bitcoin payment back, then wait 12h for the unlock key to be sent to him.

[@xpavpushka]

Imagine if it were a goatse pic

[@dylanmccallister1888]

@@ncot_tech Its a cool idea, but you would both need to be using a code language like a cold war numbers station for 3rd party listeners. Also, at that point, just use the internet. Thats why numbers stations arent used in any serious manner anymore except by poorer countries. Unless there is no internet. Like the middle of the sahara and for some reason you cant connect to any internet satellites like starlink or iridium, but only this specific russian one. So you have to use a long complicated several hour process to send a bitcoin using a secret language over a tiny cube sat. If it was 1980 that would be cool as hell but its not 😂

[@OE6TFF]

This little polar bear looking out for the satellite is really cute. 😊 Thank you, i appreciate your efforts! 73

[@TrystyKat]

Fun fact: You can calculate slant range to a satellite using the Doppler shift. That's how the Transit navigation satellites were used by the US Navy.

[@AOCisHome]

The men dressed in suits are going to show up at your house. lol.

[@goldmax1412]

Такие видео греют душу. Наука. Космос. Радиолюбительство. И ничего больше. It's videos like this that warm my heart. Science. Space. Amateur radio. Nothing more.

[@altaccount9203]

Спасибо за добавление английского перевода! Thanks for adding the English translation!

[@occamraiser]

And fascist dictatorships invading their neighbours - let's not sell russia short.

[@onebadwolf9123]

Directed energy weapons will warm your heart too.

[@altaccount9203]

@@onebadwolf9123 Why must you bring anger to this space?

[@onebadwolf9123]

That's a rhetorical question I assume. Why did Russia invade Ukraine? BTW, it was not anger at a youtuber pandering to murderers of women and children for subscribers, good heavens no. It was only a Special Internet Observation. Necessary to de-Stalinize KZbin, and liberate them from oppression. I wonder.. How many dead Ukrainian children per subscription are acceptable from your perspective? @@altaccount9203

[@tebbi67]

I can't stop marveling! This already exceeds the technical horizon of an average person and promotes cultural exchange...impressed by that, thank you for the video!

[@cherrymountains72]

Very, very cool and interesting. I’ve got myself an SDR setup and so it’s very interesting to see how you go about this. Thanks for sharing!

[@-Tris-]

If I had enough money I would put some cubesats in orbit which are constantly transmitting memes via SSTV😁

[@digitalta]

I can just imagine some intelligence agency operative listening to satellites to see if there are spy ones or whatever, getting a signal and it is dick butt

[@guillaumelavoie1544]

I love your channel! Thank you for showing us all of your work, not just the good part!

[@mutestingray]

Fun video as always! There will always be something so intensely satisfying about receiving messages from outer space. Even though we can do this at mind-blowing speeds on tiny computers in our pockets, nothing can beat the “magic” of satellite/radio.

[@petersmith5199]

Absolutely brilliant and well worth all your effort! Well done!

[@keithlambell1970]

Great experiment. I love your enthusiasm for the subject.

[@nathanhayes8228]

Bro thats sick. I've been in DoD SATCOM for a couple years now, and this shit fuckin rocks.

[@BenGodot]

I really want to work for the DoD doing SATCOM.

[@huben_1337]

Cap

[@Scar32]

dude imagine having a personal satellite to send transmutations anywhere in the world that is so cool love it!

[@prillewitz]

Fantastic mate! International brotherhood of Hams! Nice setup with your SDR and your phone. Great result!

[@ia3767]

Absolutely fascinating! Thank you for sharing.

[@patchvonbraun]

Maybe Alexei can alter to SSTV image to say "Hey Gabe!" that would be fun :)

[@crackthefoundation_]

This is cool for the students and teachers as well i imagine. the promulgation of the internet, even social media, can have a unifying quality

[@daveys]

Ham sats are cool. Not because of the content, but because it’s possible and people have made that happen.

[@seroma3516]

As an aspiring geodesist, I couldn't be more enthrilled by the stuff you do

[@samisami-nn9xh]

Thank you, brother, for this useful information. I watch your videos constantly

[@GingerNingerGames]

Every time I watch your videos, it makes me want to start playing around with this stuff, like I don't have enough unfinished projects on the go. But downloading weather images from satellites as they buzz past does sound kind of cool.

[@michaelaudet3419]

Always love the content. Thanks for your efforts.

[@FaithyJo]

Please ignore the pair of Suburbans idling down the block 🧑‍💼🕶️

[@ratmadness4858]

most inspiring channel! I'm getting set up to record my own hurricane images from GOES. it's a hobby

[@AaronzDad]

Very Cool! I remember back at the advent of the internet messing around in a chat room site talking to a Brit and a Japanese at the same time and how astonishing it seemed. Now you're downloading memes from a Russian satellite. I'm not sure if that's progressing or regressing.

[@loligesgame]

Amazing how little stuff is needed to receive such a transmission!

[@MxArgent]

Been meaning to see if I could get licensed one of these days. Having more ways to talk to people abroad (and more neat tech) sounds fun.

[@michaellichter4091]

I also have that exact 70 cm antenna, that's very interesting. I'm going to try to receive the satellite as well, thanks to your detailed video it should be possible. Cubesats are a neat thing, there are always some out there.

[@SorieI]

How to reach out to your nerd friends. 1) buy cubesat 2) make giant slingshot 3) attach note to cubesat. Stickey notes will not work, adhesive is too weak 4) launch cubesat through your friend's kitchen window There you have it, communication like true intellects

[@adissentingopinion848]

Seems like there was some interdisciplinary effort from the unsecured loan, advanced interrogation, and unplanned human transport industry.

[@mikeburch2998]

Nicely done Gabe. That was super entertaining.

[@brianl2607]

NACK is "Not Acknowledged" ... in data communications when one entity sends a data packet to another entity, its expects to receive an ACK (pronounced ay-cee-kay), as in acknowledgement, packet back from the receiver that the receiver resieved the message. so the NACK would be a broadcast that no ACK was received

[@John-wd5cb]

My cat makes that ack ack sound when I pet her 🤔

[@hamhouke]

Not quite. A NACK is a negative acknowledgment. A missing ACK (positive acknowledgment) is just a timeout if nothing is returned. If you see a NACK, the message was received, but failed whatever error checking was required. It could have been garbled, or corrupted, or incomplete. There was a signal with enough info to recognize it, but the data it contained was bad. A NACK will generally trigger a retransmit of the corrupted data in protocols that are connection-oriented like TCP (in computer networks). This is how the protocol guarantees delivery of packets and/or controls sequencing of packets. These protocols are a bit slower due to the data required for error-checking data padding the payload of the signal, but are more reliable because missed or garbled data can be resent by the sender when it sees a NACK. Connectionless protocols are usually used for real-time streaming, telemetry, or less important data because it is faster (no error checking overhead and no retransmits). UDP works this way when streaming video or audio. There are no ACKs or NACKs sent back and forth there. If you miss a frame of real-time video, that moment is past. There is no point in requesting a frame of video from half a second ago. You always have to be displaying the current frame of video.

[@sequoyahrice6966]

Also I believe its actually pronounced "ACK" just how its spelled.

[@Sven_Dongle]

@@hamhouke Someone paid attention in Information Theory class.

[@TheSaltyExplorer]

@@sequoyahrice6966yup

[@TheElectronicDilettante]

Seriously!! Your videos spool up into truly next level science. It’s very cool! In today’s political climate, I bet anyone else not in the field of ECE as a vocation or advocation, would automatically think the worst. Good for you for leaving the hate elsewhere and communicate in the name of space and science. If it backfires, oh well. You went into it as a human should. Well done!!

[@Madmouseanon]

So cool video's man , I am getting into radio and satellite technologies more because of your vids. I am a career I.T guy so this is just sharpening my tools and expanded my world by so much . Thank you

[@sarkybugger5009]

Expect to hear the black helicopters circling overhead shortly. 😁 I didn't know that SDR++ was available on Android. That gives me an excuse to go out with my new RTL-SDR v4. I already have a Type C - A cable.

[@fotografm]

Brilliant video ! I think this is my favourite from you so far ! I loved the smartphone satellite viewer with Yagi attached on the back. Perfect way to align an antenna ! Maybe you need some kind of PLL to automatically track the doppler shift. I didn't know that noise from the sun is really strong enough to wipe out signals during the daytime. Well done and keep it coming !

[@rainonwires]

Technology has always blown my mind and being into computing I've really seen a lot of cool interesting things that blow my mind but nothing has blown my mind more than your videos. I'm 19 and love this stuff It's amazing. Would be my dream to have a satellite.

[@Jango1989]

This so cool! Such a great collaboration! I hope other schools and amateurs from across the world reach out.

[@RinoaL]

I'm glad to hear that you too haven't had much luck with a software audio cable. I had to do a few things like this and eventually gave up and set two computers next together. Now thankfully sometimes you can use it as a jumper back to the same computer if the software will ignore PC audio output!

[@Sperminski]

Fascinating stuff!

[@eliotmansfield]

cool - just avoid any invites for tea, especially near a window.

[@LootableCorpse]

Great teamwork! Love to see hobby radio operators connecting across the world 👏

[@sikleqt]

This was one of your coolest videos. More like this!

[@JamienM]

Loving your channel!

[@glitter_fart]

listen im not saying you are on a no flight list but you are deff on a list

[@John_Smith__]

Very cool project very cool video and you did very well cooperating! Space should remain Free!

[@patchvonbraun]

VHF/UHF transmission on earth is also, of course, limited by earth curvature. However, there are also some tropospheric modes that work at the lower end, and you often get some interesting knife-edge effects as well in mountainous terrain. This is why VHF/UHF transmitters that want maximum coverage place their antennas on the tallest tower they legally are allowed to (and can afford). This is in stark contrast to HF propagation, where the ionosphere refracts signals, often multiple times, allow long-distant communications at very modest power levels.

[@darrellmora1319]

Dude, you should see my FT8/MSK144 setup here! Homebrew 7L quad on a 10' mast on the roof. Unfortunately, i'm in a "holler" here in E. Tennessee, so I'm pretty sure I'm negative HAAT, and I KNOW i'm lower than the peak of the hill we're sitting on. Still, I've gotten confirmed contacts from over 800 miles north and east in both modes on a max of 18W. Man, that meteor scatter is a blast, but a helluva challenge! 73 de AE6ZA, EM85fs

[@patchvonbraun]

@@darrellmora1319 indeed I used to work meteor back in the mid 1980s on 2M.

[@alexplosion_ITA]

I really love stuff like this! Both keeping the keeping the international space cooperation going and just receiving informations from satellites! In fact i have to thank you, some months ago i saw your videos on receiving NOAA's polar orbiting satellites' images and i was just amazed, that video introduced me to this amazing world and now it's gonna be the core of my graduation ptoject! I will add the ability to receive weather maps to my school's meteorological station and seeing them on its website

[@alexplosion_ITA]

And after graduation I've seen a really good school, similar to Alexis, where part of the program would also be to project, build and launch a cubesat!

[@ericgulseth74]

Love your satellite set up. Now to TX back out with it...

[@youtubeuser6067]

Excellent and Impressive!! Keep up the great work!!👍

[@dungeonman.fromyoutube]

One of the best channels around

[@siilivarbad]

This is so cool! Super cute logo

[@DarrenRipley]

That's so cool dude~! Great work~!

[@Tore_Lund]

I looked the UMKA-1 up. It has a telescope onboard. So it can send images too!

[@saveitforparts]

I think the telescope had some technical issues after they launched, so isn't fully functional.

[@spiritschamber]

Nice video! You can use AFC to compensate the doppler effect - more comfortable than correcting by hand. :)

[@TheAndjelika]

In these crazy times, it is beautiful to see more people who do not care about politics and simply interact with anyone on this small, tiny planet. At their core, humans are the same everywhere, with the same needs: food, a roof over their heads, love, and care. Thank you. By the way, it's a bit odd that your antivirus is blocking Russian websites, even if it's a school website. Very strange, particularly for the 'land of the free' to be blocking access. :)

[@kostis2849]

the word on the left of the picture seems to be "School" and the one on the right seems to be "Telescope" . And I dont even know russian lol.

[@BoraHorzaGobuchul]

Exactly, that's what it says. School Telescope UmKA-1. Umka being the name of the bear from the cartoon, and also from the camel case most likely an acronym for something like "Учебный малый Космический Аппарат" literally "school small space vehicle"

[@mattparker9726]

Shaken not stirred. Also you would be the COOLEST James Bond. I mean heck at least you have a beard!

[@null4624]

You are a genious, thanks for sharing your experiments :)

[@walkercustoms]

Great video, thank you

[@njones420]

Glad to see a copy of Terry Pratchett's Snuff in the background ... I just finished reading that again :)

[@youtubeaccount931]

Im suprised that huge vertical array didn't beat the 3 element yagi at low elevations. I really need to get a portable yagi for my baofeng for these satellites and such

[@CharlieGeorge_]

How cool! Greetings from UK!

[@dpoleev]

Cool! Hello from Russia)

[@W8RIT1]

Privyet! ...best I can do without using Cyrillic.

[@MPLS_Andy]

Slava Ukraini

[@thejhonnie]

​@@MPLS_Andy🤦

[@notaboutit3565]

@@MPLS_AndySlava Bogu

[@Shakez76]

Very cool video!

[@jonathanmvkhai]

That was a huge leap of faith there!

[@14KiloWhisky]

Your final setup for rx satellite is 👌👀

[@UOttawaScotty]

That was a fascinating video.

[@lopikosmusic9354]

Russian high schoolers are sending and operating satellites? I suddenly feel very inadequate about my own high school education...

[@BoraHorzaGobuchul]

I'm pretty sure there's more American school cubesats in space that Russian ones. I studied at both a Russian school and (for a year) at a US school in the late nineties. From own experience, and allowing for substantial difference in quality between various schools within either country, I'd say American school education is very much fine despite popular claims. What I found is that the American system allows much more freedom in choosing which classes you take (in Russia the curriculum is provided as is, with maybe a couple of optional electives now and then). One can choose "easy credit" classes and fly through like sh*t through a goose, gaining little. Alternatively, one can choose "hard" classes, e.g. AP, which will be much more demanding but significantly more rewarding in terms of self-esteem and knowledge gained. As for equipment, US schools are much better equipped than the Russian ones (again, I'm judging from my personal experience, so the sample size is limited). The only things I hated about the US school are - needing passes to go anywhere during the classes, that's a bit too GULAGy for me - 55 minute periods (Russian are 40 minutes, and from what I remember in most classes about 10 to 15 minutes at the end of the class were unofficially "free time" - I tended to do home assignments in it, silver lining) - giant textbooks (Russian textbooks are order of magnitude skinnier).

[@blm-r3x]

Ну это престижная школа для одаренных учащихся. Обычные школы у нас полный отстой)

[@_brayanenriquez]

bro got tricked into being a spy

[@durinf]

Seriously dumb, too.

[@georgemyth]

You are talented... not only a hobbiest

[@memejeff]

This is super freaking cool.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

Since the SSTV transmissions should basically be the same data, is there a way to combine the transmissions?

[@RobertL78]

Meanwhile someone at the CIA now thinks Russia is going to launch intercontinental ballistic polar bears.

[@BoraHorzaGobuchul]

And it might!

[@P-G-77]

Nice job man !!

[@JulianPicht]

Website is too sketchy, proceeds to run exe ..........

[@joshuahardy5626]

NAK - Negative Acknowledgment packet. It believes you received a partial or bad packet. How it decides that depends on the system. Could be as simple as a temp being off based on a crc.

[@mncam_com]

This. Is. Awesome.

[@PaulAndrewHughes]

Dude you are amazing

[@lirawhite5799]

Красавчик!

[@tf6437]

waiting for the NSA payed me a visit video

[@TheChefmike66]

This is soo cool!

[@craigsutton4903]

Good work comrade parts 😮

[@gonzo_the_great1675]

Using FM for the link really helps in tracking the doppler. The signals after demodulation doesn't suffer freq shift as you would see on linear modes. Slight tech correction. Doppler will be worst/fastest at the horizon (AOS). And slowest overhead (TCA). Thanks for the great work. Keep on brining out tech hobby to the wider audience.

[@alteronline]

picture says - school space telescope

[@Prateek1234q.]

I just have no idea what you are doing But i just love to watch your videos😅

[@JimmytheCow2000]

Completely unrelated, but I used to live in Astoria, OR where they filmed the Goonies film. Great shirt!