Advancements in Public Access to Satellite Weather Data: Signal Reception And Data Interpretation Using NOAA 18 And NOAA 19 Satellites

This paper aims to demonstrate the importance of satellite imagery on modern weather forecasting by focusing specifically on NOAA-18 and 19 satellites. These satellites in the 137 MHz band supply critical information on significant weather events, like hurricanes. Here, the focus is on the progress which has made satellite data increasingly available via online tools, contrasting it with the use of satellite beams, which remain a challenge for direct satellite data reception. The technical details of satellite communication are discussed, with a focus on how NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellites transmit data, and which specialized equipment is needed to receive it directly: using antennas, RF electronics, and Software Defined Radio setup. The paper describes how to build a simple and low-cost system. Devised following an analysis of orbit conditions and predicted parameters of satellite signals and ground reception techniques, which are collected and discussed throughout this paper on the signal transmission protocols and reception systems; aiming to provide an overview of the used methods along with practical steps that allowed the building of the system which is capable of receiving and decoding weather images transmitted by NOAA-18 and NOAA-19 satellites. The results indicate the possibility of precise weather monitoring in real-time, along with challenges encountered for signal reception like interference and atmospheric environment. Finally, we conclude this paper and suggest enhancements to come that would allow better quality images than the current ones, as well as easier and more affordable accessibility of satellite data for use in the weather forecast.