2009 early-March, a reasonably comprehensive list of transmitting frequencies was derived from observations in the UK and the Netherlands. The conclusion is that eight of the ten Gonets satellites in orbit were transmitting. Interestingly, Reshetnev, the satellite manufacturer, states on it web site that only six satellites were operational at the time. Note - the photograph on the right is a Gonets-M, hence three rather than the two aerials of Gonets D-1.

Identification of individual satellites is difficult, particularly when several are above the horizon at the same time.

Thanks are due to Ary Boender and Hans Oeben for their assistance in this piece of work on both the Strela-3 and Gonets-D1 satellites.

This launch carried a Strela-3, a Strela-3M and a Gonets-M into orbit and created a small puzzle. The Strela-3 was immediately identifiable because the object by NORAD as 2010-043B/37153 was found to be transmitting at the standard Strela-3 frequencies of 244.512 MHz and 261.035 MHz.

The other two objects, 2010-043A/37152 and 2010-043C/37154 were initially reported by an observer in northern England as transmitting data at 245.0 MHz (subsequently measured as 244.999 MHz). A search by me for the Message Signal uncovered transmisions from both satellites at 388.6875 MHz.

This poses the question of why the Gonets-M and the Strela-3M seem to use the same frequencies. Based on their predecessors, Gonets D-1 and Strela-3, they would be expected to have thir own discreet pairings. One possible explanation is that the store/forward message systems have converged and that Gonets-M is being made available to commercial businesses while Strela-3M is still reserved for military/government but with the Strela-3M users having access to Gonets-M also.

After a few months, the transmissions disappeared as the satellites presumably switched to operational frequencies (as yet unreported), strengthening the convergence idea. The 245/388 MHz MHz channels may be for testing purposes with the Gonets-M and Strela-3M using similar systems.

Freq (MHz)	Satellite	Payload	Signal Type	Notes
245.157	Cosmos 2386 (Gonets) 2001-058C 27057	Store and Forward Messaging	Message Signal every 60s, silent when receiving data message from ground	Stored messages are transmitted at another frequency in the 240-260 MHz band
262.910	Cosmos 2386 (Gonets) 2001-058C 27057	Store and Forward Messaging	Data transmission as messages are forwarded	This is a Gonets-D1 even though listed elsewhere as Strela-3. There was a NORAD name mix-up with Gonets D1-8. Has been reported on other frequencies in the past - entry updated 2009 Mar 8. Message Signal at 261.035 MHz.
244.999	Cosmos 2467 (Strela-3M/ Rodnik or Gonets-M) 2010-043A 37152	Store and Forward Messaging	Data transmission as messages are forwarded	Message Signal at 388.688 MHz.
388.688	Cosmos 2467 (Strela-3M/ Rodnik or Gonets-M) 2010-043A 37152	Store and Forward Messaging	Message Signal every 60s, silent when receiving data message from ground	Stored messages are transmitted at 244.999 MHz.
244.999	Cosmos 2468 (Strela-3M/ Rodnik or Gonets-M) 2010-043C 37154	Store and Forward Messaging	Data transmission as messages are forwarded	Message Signal at 388.688 MHz.
388.688	Cosmos 2468 (Strela-3M/ Rodnik or Gonets-M) 2010-043C 37154	Store and Forward Messaging	Message Signal every 60s, silent when receiving data message from ground	Stored messages are transmitted at 244.999 MHz.