Do satellites transmit an ID code?

[Robz]

Do satellites transmit an ID code? My objective is to align the dish without first needing orbital data. I have spent many hours trying to aim the dish only to result in complete failure. Hopefully, there exists an ID code to quickly identify the satellite and provide superior dish alignment. Currently, the dish alignment must be first good then improved alignment is possible. Then repeat improved-> better, improved-> better, improved->better cycle until you are either satisfied or dead, whichever comes first.

Thanks, Rob.

 

[Claude Greiner]

There is a unique Id for each satellite. It's built into some of the higher end meters.

 

[Cham]

Think I remember reading that some use High speed CW (Morse code); might be receivable using a Ku LNBF/dish, SDR dongle, and software to read the code. Rather cumbersome unless a rather expensive analyzer is used as it is not a DVB/DVB-S signal most sat receiver/sat finders utilize. Likely easier just to program in the active transponder frequencies for each satellite you are interested in and spend some quality time with your dish antenna. It takes practice and experience to find a satellite quickly, and sometimes even then it can take quite a while to get it right... It's actually one of the more interesting parts of this hobby.

I have often thought it would make for a great contest to see how fast (competitors) can find and tune-in a satellite when given a transponder frequency and longitudinal position, with a minimum of equipment to do so with.

 

[Robz]

Think I remember reading that some use High speed CW (Morse code); might be receivable using a Ku LNBF/dish, SDR dongle, and software to read the code.

Thank you for your reply.
Sounds interesting. I have several SDR receivers. One receives up to 6GHz, the ETTUS b200. There are several software programs to explore the satellite spectrum further. Ex HDSDR, SDRconsole, GNUradio and others.
This gives me some hope for reaching the topic further. I took down my c band dish the day before hurricane Mathew came within striking distance of my location. I now need to put the dish back, but want to make changes.
1. Use the satellite ID to aid dish alignment.
2. Radically improve the Dish mechanical mounting method.
Add a bearing, ball or roller, for each axis of rotation.
Add an optical encoder for each axis of rotation. I would like change the single axis polar mount to a three axis Az,El, polarization mounting method. How about 1296 MHz EME?
3. Add servo control for each axis. Pipe dream dream of Point A to Point B < 1 second.
4. Use Internet protocol for data link rather than using DISEQC. Fairly simple with Rasbury Pi and several other low cost CPU boards, even for servo control.

Rob