Signals from the first Soyuz/Fregat stage from Kourou

Sven Grahn

I found the frequencies for the Fregat stage for Soyuzes out of French Guiana by consulting Starsem's manual for the rocket available on-line. It gave two numbers: 2218.0 MHz and 2227.0 MHz. I toggled between the two frequencies. The launch took place at 1030.26 UT on 21 October 2011. I toggled between the two frequencies every 5 seconds or so. As I switched to 2218.0 MHz at 1953.16 UT the strong signal was there - see the waterfall spectrum below. I used my vertical 3.5-turn helix as usual.

I captured one more good waterfall spectrum before the signal faded out about 1056 UT: The vertical straight lines are interference.

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