SIGNALS / SPACE
PMGS
A receive-only satellite workflow helper for inexpensive RTL-SDR hardware and stock antennas.
- Current state
- Pre-alpha toolkit
- Discipline
- Signals · Space
- Built with
- Python / Skyfield / RTL-SDR / SatDump / gr-satellites orchestration / HTML reporting
The idea
A low-cost receiver and stock antenna can make a first satellite pass difficult to plan and diagnose. PMGS brings pass planning, antenna guidance, capture preparation and local observation reports into one receive-only workflow.
How it works
Python modules combine optional Skyfield pass prediction and TLE data with a realistic satellite/antenna catalog. The CLI prepares captures, checks unsigned IQ recordings, coordinates established decoders and turns observations into local reports.
What’s implemented
- Pass planning with optional Skyfield and public TLE data
- Stock-antenna guidance and target difficulty scoring
- Dry-run capture plans with duration, storage estimates and metadata sidecars
- IQ-file verification, decoder handoff and HTML observation reports
PROJECT STATUS / PRE-ALPHA TOOLKIT
Where it stands
Pre-alpha toolkit
- Initial v0.1 scaffold / pre-alpha
- Decoder templates require version-specific verification before release
- Orchestrates existing decoding tools rather than replacing them
Source & resources
Documentation behind this project page
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Project descriptions reflect a source review; repository validation claims were not independently reproduced.