Argos3Plotter

Argos3Plotter decodes, displays and plots transmissions from the Argos-3 systems on board the NOAA and Metop satellites transmitting on 465.9875MHz.

The Argos-3 system collects terrestrial data from remote locations including automatic weather stations, drifting oceanographic buoys, and wildlife tracking. You can use a simple UHF radio receiver (scanner) tuned to the 465.9875MHz downlink frequency to pick up the strong signals from these satellites. With Argos3Plotter you can decode the telemetry and find out the positions of the satellites, their operational status and monitor the command messages sent to the remote data collection platforms.

Argos3Plotter Features

Argos3Plotter decodes transmissions from the Argos-3 systems on board the NOAA and Metop satellites using the sound card in your PC. You need a suitable UHF band radio receiver tuned to the Argos-3 telemetry channel. The program decodes the received digital data and displays and logs the messages.

Signal mode - In Signal Mode, Argos3Plotter displays the raw digital signals on your PC screen in a diagnostic display which helps you to set up the system and adjust the receiver.
Message mode - In Message Mode, Argos3Plotter displays each decoded message in plain language on your PC screen. It displays the ephemerides, the status reports, the time codes, the downlink coded messsages and the acknowledgements to the uplink messages from the data collection platforms.
Satellite mode - In Satellite Mode, Argos3Plotter displays the current location, azimuth, elevation, range, and doppler shift of those satellites for which an ephemeris message has been received.
Chart mode - In Chart Mode, Argos3Plotter charts the current location those satellites for which an ephemeris message has been received.
Message log - Argos3Plotter stores all messages received and decoded in a text file for later analysis and review. The log file is time stamped.

Requirements to run Argos3Plotter

Pentium level PC running Win95/98/Me/2k/XP/Vista with compatible sound card
A UHF band radio receiver with NFM mode. The receiver must be tuned to the telemetry channel 465.9875MHz. The receiver audio output must be connected to the Line-In connector on your PC. Because Argos downlink messages are transmitted on UHF, the satellites must be within line of sight of the receiver in order for the signals to be received.

Download Argos3Plotter

Argos3Plotter can be downloaded freely and comes in a self-installing exe file. The file size is a modest 400 kb.

Download Argos3Plotter (version 2.1) Now.

Registration of Argos3Plotter

Argos3Plotter can be freely downloaded and used for 21 days. After that time it must be registered. Registration can be done swiftly and securely on-line and costs only Euro €25 (plus VAT for EU residents) for personal use.We strongly recommend that you ensure that Argos3Plotter performs to your satisfaction before registering.

Register Argos3Plotter Now.

Disclaimer

There are considerable variations in the legislation concerning radio reception in the different administrations around the world. It is your responsibility to determine whether or not your local administration permits the reception of Argos messages. It is specifically forbidden to use Argos3Plotter for any illegal purpose whatsoever. The existence and the availability of Argos3Plotter is not to be construed as an incitement to commit any unlawful act. It is for use only in those states and regions where such use is permitted.

Disclaimer

Argos3Plotter code is reliability tested to an extent that is adequate for entertainment and educational use but is neither warranted nor tested for any operational use including but not restricted to any situation where the safety of life is in jeopardy.