Iran registered two frequency bands with the International Telecommunications Union prior to the launch. One was for the uplink from the ground to the satellite, the other was the downlink. As part of the registration process, the orbit was given as 250 x 530 km with an inclination of 56.87 degrees.
Uplink (MHz)
Downlink (MHz)
401.000 to 401.025
464.9875 to 465.0125
The range of frequencies in each case takes account of signal bandwidth and the Doppler shift that would be experienced by an observer. The purpose of registration is to ensure that another operator does not choose the same frequencies and cause interference to operations. Thanks go to Sven Grahn for providing the registration information.
Tracking
On launch, the Iranian news agency mentioned that Omid operates in "...two frequency bands". This is a reference to the existence of uplink and downlink frequencies. There is no indication of a second downlink frequency.
The downlink frequency range is what can be tracked. It centres on 465.000 MHz so it is easy to tune a receiver and easy to get a reasonable determination of the time of closest approach by noting when the received frequency passes through 465.000 MHz.
Freq (MHz)
Satellite
Payload
Signal Type
Notes
465.000
Omid (Hope)
2009-004A 33506
Demonstration satellite, reported to include a store and forward messaging payload
AM - multiple sidebands with 25 kHz bandwidth
Switches on and off by onboard timer programmed from the ground
