VHF APT Satellite Weather Kit

To make the reception of satellite weather images more accessible, and in response to requests received, we are offering this discounted Weather Satellite kit. It contains the components needed to receive satellite weather images on Windows desktop computers. For Macbook users, follow this guide by Justin Karimi.

The kit includes the following items:



NOTE: Antenna does not require a ground plane for normal operation.

WXSAT-APT-KIT Instructions

Receiving WXSAT Images

Watch and listen to NOAA-18 APT weather satellite image being received at antennas.us on June 27, 2019 (click link below):





Video of NOAA-18 APT weather satellite image being received at antennas.us using an UC-1374-531R antenna and 50 ft of LMR-240 coaxial cable, without an LNA, and an RTL-SDR USB dongle receiver .



The received image is shown in black and white as it is received/recorded. Upon completion of the satellite pass, the image is processed to produce various views. The complete image received and processed can be viewed here, it is also the last photo above.

The satellite image is constructed by assembling narrow horizontal left to right camera sweeps. The uniform travel of the satellite, for example South to North, is responsible for the vertical sweep (bottom to top of screen). This is similar to how a computer printer renders a photo, or a scanner captures a document.

In some of the still images above, you will notice narrow horizontal bands of noise (black or missing dots/lines). They are often due to multipath interference from the ground at their corresponding elevation angles. Obstructions, such as buildings and heavy foliage can produce broader noise bands. In general, significant dips in signal strength produce noisy horizontal bands [similar to when an inkjet printer is almost out of ink, you get horizontal streaks of unprinted color]. On our June 27 image, the noise to the North is due to our building, as the antenna was placed on our parking lot, approximately 20 ft (7 meters) South of our building. The noise South is due to the horizon limit and more distant buildings.

Receiving Russian Meteor M2 Weather Satellite Images

Meteor M2 satellites produce higher resolution images than those obtained from NOAA Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) payloads. To receive their signals with this Kit, you may follow a guide by Les Hamilton, published in The Group for Earth Observation's GEO Quarterly No. 48 edition, December 2015.