OnAirDecode GOES DCS with an SDR
GOES DCS: river gauges, weather stations and buoys reporting through the GOES and Meteosat satellites.
- In the mode list
- Platform reports, 401.85 MHz
What GOES DCS is
GOES / Meteosat data collection platforms (DCS) on the 401.7 - 402.1 MHz uplink: river gauges, weather stations, tide gauges and buoys send a short report on their own 1.5 kHz channel at 100, 300 or 1200 bps (carrier phase modulation, NRZ or Manchester). Every carrier in the capture is followed and every bit rate and coding is tried; the BCH-protected 8-hex-digit platform address, the satellite….
Frequencies and settings
OnAir takes any frequency you type; the numbers above are the mode's starting point and the range its table describes. In the app the shortcut label is Platform reports, 401.85 MHz.
What OnAir shows
GOES / Meteosat data collection platforms (DCS) on the 401.7 - 402.1 MHz uplink: river gauges, weather stations, tide gauges and buoys send a short report on their own 1.5 kHz channel at 100, 300 or 1200 bps (carrier phase modulation, NRZ or Manchester). Every carrier in the capture is followed and every bit rate and coding is tried; the BCH-protected 8-hex-digit platform address, the satellite channel, the level and the ASCII or pseudo-binary sensor data are shown, with a table of the platforms heard and a CSV log. Needs a radio that covers 401.7 - 402.1 MHz (0.5 Msps or more) and a UHF antenna.
Limits and what it was checked with
Checked with generated signals and impairments; recordings of real signals welcome.
Which radio you need
This is a shortwave mode, so the radio has to tune HF. An SDRplay, Airspy HF+ or an RTL-SDR in direct-sampling mode do that directly; with a HackRF an HF upconverter or a direct-sampling receiver is the usual route. A long wire or loop antenna matters more than the radio.
Receiving and the law
Questions about GOES DCS
Can I decode GOES DCS with an RTL-SDR?
An RTL-SDR can receive HF only in direct-sampling mode, which OnAir offers in its radio settings; results depend on the antenna. SDRplay and Airspy HF+ radios are better suited.
Is it legal to receive GOES DCS?
Receiving satellite downlinks is generally legal. Encrypted or spread content is not decoded, and voice codecs that are patented are not shipped with OnAir.
Can I try GOES DCS in OnAir without a radio?
Yes. Most modes include a built-in synthetic test signal, so you can open the screen and try the controls before you own a radio.