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A comment on Using NASA’s SMAP satellite to detect L-band interference.

Re:Using NASA’s SMAP satellite to detect L-band interference by bob1029 on Thursday May 08, 2025 @06:50AM (#43924955)
Iridium satellites can communicate with ground stations on L-band.

This band is extremely useful if you're stuck on a ship in the middle of a typhoon and need to get some help.

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Re:Using NASA’s SMAP satellite to detect L-band interference by qwertox on Thursday May 08, 2025 @07:26AM (#43925112)
How does this work? Do they just listen and never transmit, unless they receive a targeted emergency message?
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Re:Using NASA’s SMAP satellite to detect L-band interference by os2warpman on Thursday May 08, 2025 @08:52AM (#43925625)
L-band is used for voice and data communications to handheld devices by several satcom providers.

At a very high level handheld satellite communications devices work just like regular cellphones, except they also function in the middle of the ocean.

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Re:Using NASA’s SMAP satellite to detect L-band interference by russb on Thursday May 08, 2025 @08:58AM (#43925670)
L-band signals can penetrate through clouds and rain. This property is why L-band is used for GPS and other applications that require all-weather operation, as it allows for accurate data collection even in the presence of adverse weather.
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