Not that uncommon to hear Spanish and especially Brazilian pirates on US
UHF SATCOM birds. Many of the Spanish stations sound like local chit
chat and they may not be intending to go through a satellite. The
Brazilians are definitely Pirates and use the satellites like a big CB
repeater. A guy in Brentwood, CA with a Portuguese surname name was
recently busted for unlicensed operation and the frequency range listed
by the FCC was in the UHF Satcom range. I would like to find out if this
guy was connected with the Brazilian Pirates that have been plaguing the
system for years. I have picked up McMurdo Station conversing with a
supply aircraft via UHF SATCOM with my PRO-43 and stock rubber duck, so
there is no reason to believe you did not pick up a UHF satellite. The
new UHF follow on satellites have a pretty hot downlink.
Bob


Frank wrote:
I heard a Spanish conversation between two people on 263.825 NFM earlier
today at 5:00 PM EST. This was from my location in NE Ohio. I believe this
is a SATCOM frequency. Any ideas what this was? I was listening on my PRO-43
with just a 220 Mhz Ham Band rubber duck antenna indoors with NO pre-amp.

Frank