Ham Radio Satellite Frequencies 2026

Published March 20, 2026 by Dave Burniston, VE3AKK

One of the most common questions from new satellite operators is simply: what are the frequencies? Here's a current reference for the actively-worked amateur radio satellites in 2026, with uplink, downlink, CTCSS tones, and operating notes for each. All of these satellites are included in Ham Sat Tracker with automatic Doppler correction applied to each pass.

Important note on Doppler shift: The frequencies listed here are the nominal (centre) values. During an actual pass, the received downlink frequency starts higher than nominal and decreases as the satellite passes overhead. The uplink must be adjusted in the opposite direction. Ham Sat Tracker calculates the exact corrected frequencies at AOS, TCA, and LOS for every pass automatically.

FM Voice Satellites

SO-50 (SaudiSat-1C) — NORAD 27607

Uplink: 145.850 MHz FM
Downlink: 436.795 MHz FM
CTCSS (uplink): 67.0 Hz — required to open squelch
Activation: 74.4 Hz tone burst to wake from sleep mode
Mode: Cross-band FM repeater (V/U)
Status: Active. Battery-backed — works through eclipse.

SO-50 is the most popular beginner satellite. Launched 2002, still performing well. The 67 Hz CTCSS is mandatory — without it the satellite won't hear you. If there's no response and no other traffic, try a brief 74.4 Hz burst to activate the on-timer.

AO-91 (Fox-1B) — NORAD 43017

Uplink: 145.960 MHz FM
Downlink: 435.250 MHz FM
CTCSS: None required
Mode: Cross-band FM repeater (V/U)
Status: Active. Solar powered — inactive in eclipse.

AO-91 is the easiest satellite to access — no tone required on the uplink. Plan passes for times when the satellite is in sunlight. Morning and daytime passes are more reliable than late evening winter passes.

ISS (International Space Station) — NORAD 25544

Uplink: 145.990 MHz FM
Downlink: 437.800 MHz FM
CTCSS (uplink): 67.0 Hz
Packet digipeater: 145.825 MHz (1200 baud AFSK, APRS)
Mode: Cross-band FM repeater (V/U)
Status: Variable — repeater not always active.

The ISS FM repeater operates on a schedule — check ariss.org for current status before planning a pass. The APRS digipeater on 145.825 MHz is more consistently active and a good way to confirm you're getting into the ISS even when the voice repeater is off. Doppler shift is significant on 437.800 MHz — about ±9 kHz from AOS to LOS.

PO-101 (DIWATA-2B) — NORAD 43678

Uplink: 145.900 MHz FM
Downlink: 437.500 MHz FM
CTCSS: None required
Mode: Cross-band FM repeater
Status: Active on schedule — check AMSAT status page.

PO-101 (DIWATA-2B) is a Philippine microsatellite that operates on a scheduled basis rather than continuously. When active it works well with modest equipment.

SSB and Linear Transponder Satellites

RS-44 (DOSAAF-85) — NORAD 44909

Uplink passband: 145.935–145.965 MHz (LSB)
Downlink passband: 435.610–435.640 MHz (USB)
Transponder: Inverting linear (LSB in → USB out)
Status: Very active. One of the best SSB satellites currently operating.

RS-44 is receiving excellent operating reports in 2026 and is widely considered one of the best linear transponder satellites currently in orbit. Good signal levels with modest equipment. The 30 kHz passband is shared by all stations, so tune carefully to find a clear spot.

FO-29 (JAS-2) — NORAD 24278

Uplink passband: 145.900–146.000 MHz (LSB)
Downlink passband: 435.800–435.900 MHz (USB)
Transponder: Inverting linear (LSB in → USB out)
Status: Active. Launched 1996, still going strong.

FO-29 has been one of the workhorses of the amateur satellite fleet for nearly 30 years. The 100 kHz passband supports multiple simultaneous QSOs. Standard operating technique: find your own signal on the downlink, then adjust your uplink to keep it positioned correctly as Doppler shifts.

AO-7 (OSCAR-7) — NORAD 7530

Mode B uplink: 145.850–145.950 MHz (USB)
Mode B downlink: 29.400–29.500 MHz (LSB)
Transponder: Inverting linear
Status: Active when in sunlight only. Batteries failed decades ago.

AO-7 was launched in 1974 and is the oldest amateur satellite still in operation — a remarkable achievement. Its batteries failed long ago so it operates purely from solar power. Passes in eclipse produce no signal. Mode B uses 10m for the downlink, which means you need HF receive capability — the FT-818 or similar covers this. Working AO-7 is a genuine milestone.

AO-73 (FUNcube-1) — NORAD 39444

Uplink: 145.950 MHz FM (or SSB transponder in eclipse)
Downlink: 435.150 MHz
Mode: FM transponder in sunlight, inverting SSB transponder in eclipse
Status: Active. Unusual dual-mode operation.

AO-73 (FUNcube-1) has an interesting operating characteristic: it operates as an FM transponder when in sunlight, but switches to an inverting SSB linear transponder during eclipse to support the FUNcube educational program. This means SSB operation is actually more reliable during nighttime passes — the reverse of most solar-powered satellites.

Checking Current Satellite Status

Satellites have good periods and bad periods. Solar panel degradation, battery issues, and transponder anomalies all happen over time. Before planning a session on an unfamiliar satellite, check the AMSAT Satellite Status Page to see recent operating reports from other hams. If nobody has reported hearing a satellite in weeks, it may be having issues.

Ham Sat Tracker maintains a curated list of currently active satellites based on these reports — if a satellite is showing passes in the app, it's been confirmed active recently.

73 de VE3AKK