How To Get Live Satellite Images Directly From Space

By popular request, here's my attempt at a "simple" how-to starter guide for weather satellite decoding. This was surprisingly difficult to put together, taking me several days and multiple attempts to get it right. It also ended up being over 20 minutes long! According to my recent polls, you the viewers want more satellite stuff and longer videos, so hopefully this fits the bill!
The satellites we're looking at in this video are NOAA's polar-orbiting series, NOAA 15, 18, 1n 19. More information about these can be found at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_O...
The satellites transmit data on a variety of frequencies, the easiest for us to use are in the 137mhz VHF range. You can hear these with most ham radios, police scanners, or certain handheld radios that cover VHF bands. You can also use a software defined radio (SDR) connected to a computer. A basic antenna works fine, but a slightly better antenna are the old TV "rabbit ears" set sideways in a "V" shape.
The video has two methods for receiving and processing satellite images. You can just use a cheap handheld radio and your cell phone (method 1), or you can use an SDR and computer (method 2). I'll include some more links to all the hardware and software involved, as well as other walk-through guides.
(I find it helpful to read multiple guides and watch multiple videos when learning a new hobby or skill like this, as one source might miss a detail or be hard to understand).
Hardware and gadgets I mentioned:
- Baofeng radio: www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-...
- Fancy antenna for Baofeng (optional): www.amazon.com/Authentic-NA-7...
- Software Defined Radio and antenna kit: www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-R...
- SAWbird+NOAA AMplifier / Filter (Optional extra): www.amazon.com/Nooelec-SAWbir...
Software:
- Android Wave Editor: play.google.com/store/apps/de...
- SDR++ (Windows, Mac, or Linux): www.sdrpp.org/
- GQRX (Alternative to SDR++, Linux only): gqrx.dk/
- SDR# (Another alternative, supposedly easier to use but more hassle to install): airspy.com/download/
- SatDump (for decoding recorded signals): github.com/SatDump/SatDump
- NOAA-APT (alternative to Satdump): noaa-apt.mbernardi.com.ar/
- WXtoIMG (Another alternative decoder): wxtoimgrestored.xyz/
- Raspberry-NOAA v2 (For Raspberry Pi, advanced option!): github.com/jekhokie/raspberry...
Alternate pre-installed image version: www.qsl.net/do3mla/raspberry-...
Website for calculating future satellite passes:
www.n2yo.com/
Website for decoding wav recordings of satellite signals:
apt.open-weather.community/
Here are some additional helpful resources and guides:
- NOAA APT Satellite guide: noaa-apt.mbernardi.com.ar/gui...
- Another guide: usradioguy.com/noaa-apt-recep...
- Official NOAA howto guide: noaasis.noaa.gov/NOAASIS/pubs...
- And another walkthrough document: www.rtl-sdr.com/wp-content/up...
- V-dipole antenna setup: rfelektronik.se/manuals/Datash...
- QFH Antenna build (advanced option): usradioguy.com/wp-content/upl...
Saveitforparts t-shirts (like the one I'm wearing!) and other merch can be found at saveitforparts.myspreadshop.com/
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @saveitforparts
Or support me via Patreon at / saveitforparts

[@richardparker989]

This whole process was actually a lot more simple and low tech than I expected. Great video.

[@MarkPentler]

It's honestly one of the most entry level reception tasks and because it's space it's really cool too.

[@garnet4846]

It's really easy to fool people.

[@yuri0001]

@@garnet4846 Yes, just make a bunch of non-sense flattard videos and a bunch of dumb people will be fooled.

[@MikhelBL]

Quite a lot of what we do in science requires to be as low tech as possible for some stuff (I am an oceanographer), that is because it has to be something that people, not only scientists, can do. If you keep adding more stuff not only complicates things but also increases the chance that a part will go wrong and it won't work. I would guess that's why the "keep it simple, stupid" exists.

[@kvykimo]

@@garnet4846 flat earther?

[@GetMoGaming]

@18:45 The Doppler shift as the satellite approaches and moves away man, that's real observable physics. I love it!

[@Samasiam]

The algorithm took me here and I may never do this, but the effort demanded a like and comment, the "save" concept a subscription. Well done.

[@briandenzer]

Computer cartographer here. As someone who's used a ton of satellite imagery, this is soooooo cool! Thank you! I can't wait to try.

[@kartwood]

I did this some years ago. I ordered a kit from Hamtronics, an R139. 6 channels between 137-138 MHz. I eventually built a QFH antenna and was delighted with the results. That was way long before SDRs were a thing.

[@PapasDino]

I'm still using my R139 and WXtoImg. Was fortunate enough years ago to get a Quorum dedicated WX Satellite antenna with a built-in preamp powered over the coax. When Celestrak changed their domain name my Mac version of WXtoImg was no longer able to grab the Keps from the app but I've found a work-around to get them into the program. I'm as amazed with every pass as I was the very first time I did this and never get tired of it! 73 - Dino KLØS

[@smythie08]

i remember decoding with JVFax and an easy interface to put together (can't remember the name of it)

[@neiljolliff8170]

I did this 40 years ago with a BBC computer, A/D interface from a magazine and 137Mhz band receiver and a crossed dipole antenna.

[@jasonprivately1764]

​@@PapasDinowhat work around did you come up with? Thank you.

[@crackthefoundation_]

@@neiljolliff8170 nice

[@itwasrightthere]

I almost spit my coffee out when I heard you say you were going to throw out the broken tripod! That’s good tubing!

[@Stealth86651]

Man uses computers to yell at sky robots. In all seriousness, it's really neat. I appreciate you being open with the information and making tutorial videos, thanks.

[@ianmillard1604]

More like listening to the sky robots yelling at us!

[@aiocafea]

yeah people keep confusing receiving with transmitting which is understandable cause in most telecommunications you use on the daily, you do both, but it leads to many people thinking you need a permit to listen to some of these things, when they're just broadcast everywhere w/out much care to encrypt them

[@datalorian]

Thank you very much for the detailed step by step guide, you are quickly becoming one of my most favored content creators on the internet. Your use of "throwaway" gear such as that laptop proves that a budget constraint may not really be the dead end that many people fear it is when it comes to learning and exercising skills in this field. Appreciatory valve: wide open.

[@saveitforparts]

I'm a terrible dumpster diver and hoarder, if I can make old/cheap gear work then all the better!

[@LowOutput]

I’ve been looking for this video for over 40 years. And I’m only 38. Looks like I have some fun days ahead of me.

[@parknich081]

???

[@dizwell]

I have (had!) zero interest in doing this and don't quite know why KZbin recommended it to me! But thank you for producing a well-explained primer that never forgot its intended audience's newbie status and was thus pitched perfectly. You also managed to throw in some summary stuff about more advanced ways to do things, thereby whetting the apetites of any newbie who was wondering if this might be interesting. Seriously: you covered the basics well whilst enticing with some more advanced stuff, lightly glossed over. That's pretty much how tutorials on any given subject *ought* to be done, but very seldom are. So, kudos and thanks.

[@saveitforparts]

Thanks! Glad you liked it :-)

[@Dusty_Ham]

This was my gateway into getting licensed I got hooked on getting NOAA images and realized I could get licensed and talk back to some satellites. It's such an amazing hobby. Great videos!

[@Veslanjejezivot]

What do you get by talking to them?

[@Dusty_Ham]

@@Veslanjejezivot There are many satellites that act as repeaters, so you can talk to other amateur radio operators all over the world through them. In fact the ISS has an amateur radio repeater on it, and on (albeit rare) occasion, you can even talk to an astronaut on the ISS.

[@Veslanjejezivot]

@@Dusty_Ham thank you for sharing. I was hearing ISS for the first time now since my HAM radio saga start because I was tuning on the wrong frequency (145.800) and should've used 437.800

[@juliocarrasco8297]

Can you show me a picture of a real active satellite and orbit? Since we have the technology to see stars from Earth that are 1000 miles away. But don't have any pictures of active satellites

[@davidhuett3579]

@@juliocarrasco8297 Stars 1000 miles away? You wouldn't be one of those 'flat earth' nutters would you?

[@user-eb4dd9mn1o]

well done ! I'm 76 years young , and you have sparked my interest. looking forward to more info

[@FixitFrank]

Thanks for putting this video together. You answered a lot of my questions and REALLY helped demystify a few of the things I was thoroughly overthinking. Awesome man thanks

[@saveitforparts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kingtommy5432]

Been wanting to do this for a while ever since I saw your original video 2 years ago. Finally got around to putting everything together and recorded/decoded my first successful picture today! Keep up the great work!

[@sypialnia_studio]

Great tutorial for all of us beginners! Extra points for dumpster laptop :) You are awesome, thanks for your passion and the will to share it with the world. Never stop man!

[@agroman77]

one of those times utube does something useful. I feel at home. best regards from Brazil.

[@lukeward6742]

Thank you for your well thought out succinct video. Just got my very first image a few minutes ago and I could not be happier! Your videos are what got me into radio - much appreciated!

[@espiritt]

Was really inspired to do this a while back because of your original videos. I struggled like hell at first but I loved the process. Wish I had this video sooner hopefully more people get into this hobby. I use SDR Sharp and NOAA APT for decoding. I had a terrible time trying to get WXtolmg working. Going to try satdump next.

[@danheffernan5666]

You are right. We want more satellite videos ! Your presentations and additional descriptions with links are EXCELLENT !

[@crackthefoundation_]

The distortion is beautiful as a representation of the different layers of transcoding the information goes through

[@Sondelll]

Your on-camera work is strangely captivating, I was a fan after 4 seconds, great work and a very cool video, definitely subbing

[@CB-413]

You sound wicked stoned at 0.5 speed.

[@vomitkermit3446]

😂 but going to buy some of this for sure

[@johncacacho9831]

You too Slooww pickup Man??? Need 0.5 down speed to listen? Nahh .. or you kinda wicked Stoned brain. Anyway, while you listening at 0.5x pace Me just listening at 1.75x .

[@AbirProchchhod]

Thanks for your contribution. Turned the entire thing hilariously educational 🤣

[@user-oc5qq8hd7z]

Putting the quality at 144p makes it pretty hilarious

[@aaroneckardt5514]

Sounds almost downsy at .25x lol 😂

[@Vacantl0t]

Nice video! Its so cool to see how much your knowledge has progressed. You have gone from learning to presenting it in a very succinct and knowledgeable manner. Makes me want to start playing around more with SDRs... keep up the great content

[@eamonns3030]

WOW, you explained this so well and took all the fear out of trying it out for yourself. Thank you, this is a very inspirational video.

[@dbreardon]

This was fantastic. I never knew the public could access and/or decode signals from these Sats. This would be a great family project or school project. Thanks for a great video!

[@davejack3054]

Super video and very, very helpful. I love the slant towards low cost and less complicated(to start). Thanks again.

[@ZehnMaster91]

I've been interested in getting into this for a while and my rtl-sdr is in the mail as we speak. This guide came at the perfect time for me! Thank you!

[@paulmawhorter2713]

The last few days I have been using a baofeng and a homemade v dipole to pick up NOAA. I have had pretty good success. Your videos are what inspired me to try this.

[@saveitforparts]

That is awesome! Glad you're having fun with it :-)

[@JanicekTrnecka]

Whats the trick to get the right bandwith, since LRTPT is at least 40kilo wide? Does this work just by feeding audio line in whatever recorder/ audacity etc? Recording to phone wasnt good enough :( Best results I was able to get were acquired with V dipole and HackRF.

[@paulmawhorter2713]

@@JanicekTrnecka I don't really know, maybe my cheap Baofeng has poor frequency control which makes it receive over a wide bandwidth. I also am using a cheap usb sound card which probably helps with the image clarity. I just modified the headset to have an audio output jack.

[@JanicekTrnecka]

@@paulmawhorter2713 thanks, now I am rigging up a thin audio jack and 2dollar usb audio card together ;)

[@tech_hoarder]

Thank you VERY much for the easy to understand walkthrough! I've been interested in this since watching another video you did, but was unsure how to even get started. This was what I needed to go order hardware!

[@brandonoderso5175]

40 minutes ago i didn't even know i wanted to do this...and yet you have answered all the questions that have come up so far. Thank you so much for that :)

[@TrajanowskiRifleworx357]

Man I love channels like this one. Keep up the great work!

[@radioguy19510]

This video was one of the best presentations that I have found on You-Tube! Great job! Thanks!

[@kevinknowles5404]

Best tutorial I've ever seen for these satellites! You would've saved me a lot of hassle a few years ago.

[@tompalermo6257]

Thanks for the how-to video. For someone like myself with an engineering background, but never had the time or patience to explore the reception of weather satellite data, I really appreciated your video. Before retiring as a hardware design engineer, I worked designing primary instruments on weather satellites but never considered actually receiving data from an instruments I had a part in their development. Many thanks again!

[@saveitforparts]

Awesome! And thanks for the support!

[@PeteVanDemark]

Absolutely fantastic video! Thank you!

[@user-cf9cx9ky4c]

I love the content man, you've really gotten me into this hobby just got to watch your older videos to learn how to do it.

[@synco1985]

maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, you made again excited about ham radio and listening to ISS and sattelites, great work, love your content, keep it up and have fun!!! THANK YOU!!!

[@lancemcclellan7689]

You are the man, I bought an SDR a year ago and thanks to your video have finally gotten it set up and working on FM. This weekend I am going to DIY up a dipole from rabbit ears for airplane tracking. Thanks to this video, next stop will be NOAA

[@vanclyde]

warning; this video will blow up no but seriously, love your content and insight!!

[@trucker-ham]

As a Amateur radio operator, I really enjoyed this. I love EME, and satellite communication.

[@ROBOTSDK]

Seriously I know there lots of effort that goes into it. Simply explained and nice content

[@MichaelReedOnly]

Excellent video. Clear, concise, and informative. High quality video content here, NICE JOB !

[@rickinmi]

Dumpster dive FTW!!! Excellent episode. Your style and speed are great as well as the depth of content.

[@bm_videa]

Thank you for posting this comprehensive video. It is exactly what I have been looking for.

[@nikizaupa3245]

this video was incredibly helpful, been looking into how to do this for a while and you definitely gave me some great starting points! thank you!

[@alpha5452]

i just lisented NOAA 18! what an experience amazing vid :D

[@Dochoppy1]

This video, the first of yours I have watched, has earned a subscribe. Keep up the great work!

[@robertcastro597]

I am not gonna lie, I had no idea how I even ended up on this video today. However, this video was so informative and honestly amazing, on a topic I didn't even know I found interesting. I went down a rabbit hole after this to watch more of your videos and others similar. Thank you.

[@parkerc.243]

Another great video. Easy to follow and understand. Gonna have to nerd out with my weather friends next time in the field. And to have it all fit in a laptop bag… amazing.

[@WallaceAustin]

Excellent video - you did a great job explaining things at just the right pace.

[@tbird302v8]

Excited to finally try this, been watching all of you mr videos, please keep it up!! Subscribed!

[@yuriiklopovsky]

I've started doing this a couple of days ago, using an RSPduo and a dipole. On my first try got some very good reception from NOAA-19, did not expect that just from a simple dipole. It's fascinating to see an image of the earth from space as it is in the moment. At my location you can see the arctic on these images. Can't wait to try decoding LRPT.

[@vincemajestic2650]

Just came across your video by chance, and I'm glad I did. Your explanations were simple and clear. I've subscribed and currently putting together the various odds and ends I need for sat feeds. Thanks buddy 👍

[@NetzKanal]

Thank you for this awesome explanation! 👍Just bought a used SDR some days ago and will definitely try this.

[@Siouxperman]

Great gem of a video

[@torkzz123]

Hey there! You deserve way more followers - your explanation was incredibly detailed!

[@dean5263]

I've been interested in the satellite decoding since back in the day when I used to communicate with the MIR space station, I think you just rekindled that enthusiasm for me with your video.

[@digitalta]

Good stuff, not much new stuff for me since I've been following for a while but I would say someone getting into this would definitely get a lot out of this!

[@musnadmuntasir8398]

You are just amazing. Love seeing your videos. Keep up the good job man

[@thehandleiwantedwasntavailable]

I watched this about 6 weeks ago. Fast forward to today and I have a really nice Double Cross Antenna capturing some great NOAA APT images! I'm now gearing up for some NOAA HRPT ones! Thanks for the introduction 😀

[@saveitforparts]

Very cool! Glad to help :-)

[@scottmb99]

This was great, thanks so much! A lot has changed since I last looked into this years ago, time to give it another try! Really appreciate all the resources too!

[@robertmdaniels]

Wow! Thanks for your hard work!

[@gregmushen597]

Awesome tutorial. Thanks!

[@dasmejr6004]

Thank you so much for the detailed video! I’ve been watching your content for a while now, I wish I could subscribe twice :)

[@waynewestlake3997]

Just wanted to thank you for all the time and effort you put into this! While I'm a hobbyist with RaspberryPis, Python, etc, capturing weather satellite information is brand new to me and I thought you did a fantastic introductory video on it! Will definitely be subscribing to your channel!

[@jamesbreedlove2895]

Out zarking standing. Thank you so much. Keep up the good work.

[@connorh5930]

Been working my way towards trying to get a NOAA image, this is very useful info, thank you.

[@Erick.Aviation]

This is a great tutorial! Thanks for putting this together.

[@TheKrololo]

ABout 10 years ago i heard about SDR, but back you had to buy an TV stick and then modify the software to convert it to sdr radio. Youre bringing back my memories, thanks

[@learnbytrying]

Thank you for this detailled and friendly explanation! Your videos are wonderful.

[@ericgorder1]

It's easy to use a satellite than I thought! Thanks for the video!

[@siilivarbad]

Thank you for a cool video! Dry well explained and I love your enthusiasm 😊😊😊

[@apacha2004]

you explained it so well, even I understood. I cant wait to try it myself . thanks, brotha

[@cosmicdispute88]

I just discovered your channel a couple of days ago. You are super cool, this is all cool stuff. Thank you for sharing your videos.

[@dio3841]

Thanks for the tutorial, you're the best ❤

[@ShellHeinze]

Thank you for sharing research, you covered it all. Nice

[@peterwilson3202]

Greetings from Yorkshire, England. Bloody brilliant, cheers mate. Before tonight I'd not heard of SDR. So much technical stuff surrounding the subject (understandably). I've watched maybe 10 tutorials and although they were relatively informative much of the information went over my head. I'm very much a understand it from the ground up type of person through messing about with it and I'm glad to have happened upon your channel. Just watched the video you did were you built your own antenna then this one. Just using a scanner and recording the data stream on your phone is (MacGyver) brilliant and it's actually given me a better insight/understanding than the other 10 videos combined. You've inspired me to have a go myself. I appreciate that. Credit where its due. 👏👍

[@saveitforparts]

I've definitely found it helpful to watch / read multiple sources for a lot of this stuff. Sometimes people (myself included) take stuff for granted and gloss over important details!

[@peterwilson3202]

@@saveitforparts I appreciate your approach, for a lay person like myself the technical stuff slots into place after getting my hands dirty on a project. I wasn't even aware that you could access the information from weather satellites without maybe being a part of an organisation and with expensive equipment. Of course it makes sense when I think about it, the science isn't new and I know our tech develops but we've been transmitting information this way for quite a while now and when I think about the voyager probes over bloody vast distances. Anyways, looking forward to watching some more of your experiments.

[@paulobeck]

Great and inspiring stuff as always.

[@DearNoobs]

what a great recap of the process. GJ

[@lesnessmanbowtie]

Great Video! thx for taking the time to make it. You did great!

[@christianhansen3590]

This is pretty cool! Thanks for sharing this tutorial.

[@grindelston5968]

The first image that he said wasn't very good was a LOT better than I was expecting

[@colmfarrell6687]

Thank you for a very clear explanation!

[@Wildlandfirefighting]

Awesome video, very informative and entertaining, thanks and keep them coming

[@marvingarden4587]

Amazing! Had no idea this was possible, thank you!

[@jmehta5357]

thanks bud. Did not know a thing about satellites before I saw your video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.👍

[@dennissager4750]

Great video, THANK YOU!

[@change3541]

awesome video. I just got my rtl sdr. excited to play around with it

[@scottwood1143]

Another great vid - always learning!

[@jaydm123]

Very cool 👍. Thanks so much for making this tutorial!

[@trainsplanesandautomobiles2547]

This was extremely helpful!!! I recently got all the equipment and a SDR and there are like no tutorials on it. Thanks so much!!!

[@labcat73]

Awesome introduction to the topic. Well done! 👏 👍

[@EhrenLoudermilk]

Whoa dude. Not sure how i ended up here. Great job. You earned a sub.

[@bishopdredd5349]

Love this channel, down to earth.

[@kittonsmitton]

Great explanation for this Luddite, thanks!

[@jasonmcintosh2632]

Wow, I've never seen this before. Cool stuff. Thanks for the great video!

[@charlessimmont1133]

Just cool! I have used a SDR before but I didn't know you could use them this way. Thank you for expanding my knowledge of radio tech... Looking forward to more good stuff

[@12monkey57]

Love these types of vids!

[@hb9zcf476]

Great instruction. Clear and easy.

[@michaellichter4091]

Well explained, this video was very helpful for me. I started with this a few years ago, but then other interests came along. However, it's interesting to see that there's still the possibility to receive satellite images. This video is very useful to me.