Frequencies panel
Opening and moving the panel
When you select a satellite, a panel appears on the world map with that satellite’s name. Drag it by the grey title bar (⠿) to move it out of the way. OscarWatch remembers the position.
Compact view
Click ▼ in the title bar to collapse the panel to a single line showing the satellite name, mode, and live radio frequencies. Click ▶ to expand again. OscarWatch remembers whether you left it collapsed.
Transponder mode
Choose the mode you are working — for example Mode B (SSB), FM, or a digital mode. Frequencies and Doppler behaviour come from the transponder database. If no mode fits, see Satellites & TLEs to add or edit entries.
Voice / CW (linear transponders)
For linear SSB voice modes (USB/LSB), use the Voice or CW buttons in the frequency panel title bar (expanded view). CW sets transmit to CW; receive follows Settings → Radio → Linear CW: keep receive in USB/LSB (usual split) or both VFOs to CW if that option is off. OscarWatch remembers Voice/CW per satellite and mode, applies it to CAT and Cloudlog, and you can press Ctrl+W to toggle quickly during a pass (shortcuts). Voice and CW can each have their own stored RX and TX offsets — see below.
What the columns mean
| Uplink (TX) | Downlink (RX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Sat | Frequency at the spacecraft (nominal + Doppler) | Downlink at the spacecraft |
| Radio | What to set on your rig for transmit | What to set on your rig for receive (with Doppler applied) |
For beacon-only satellites (uplink 0 in the database — SSTV, beacons, telemetry), uplink shows as a dash. Only the downlink row is used for CAT. On ICOM satellite rigs, OscarWatch turns satellite mode off and tunes Main on the correct band (2 m or 70 cm); see receive-only overview.
Offsets (kHz)
Many operators listen slightly off the nominal downlink — or transmit slightly off the nominal uplink — to find a clear spot in the passband. Use the offset box or the step buttons (+10, +100, etc.) to nudge the selected leg in kHz. The RX / TX toggle to the right of the spinner chooses which leg you are editing; both stored offsets apply to the displayed frequencies and to CAT at once. See When to use RX/TX offsets for practical guidance. See Keyboard shortcuts for numpad + / − (±10 Hz per press on the active leg).
- Changes apply to the displayed frequencies and to CAT (when tracking is active).
- Store offset saves the offset for the active leg (RX or TX), this satellite, and transponder mode in your settings.
- On linear SSB modes, Voice and CW each keep separate stored RX and TX offsets. The first time you switch to CW, OscarWatch starts from your voice offsets until you store CW values; toggling back restores the voice offsets.
- On some satellites (reverse Doppler), you tune one leg on the radio yourself; the hint text under the panel explains this.
- On beacon-only modes (no uplink), only RX offset is available — the TX toggle is hidden.
CTCSS
When a satellite uses tones, you may see Access and Arm in a dropdown. Pick the tone required to open the repeater. OscarWatch can send the tone on CAT when your radio supports it.
Doppler correction (Full / TX / RX)
For modes with an uplink, three buttons under the frequency table choose how CAT applies Doppler (remembered per satellite and transponder mode):
- Full — uplink and downlink both track Doppler (default).
- TX — TX fixed (SatPC32 TX-Fixed): only the downlink is corrected; uplink stays on your CQ spot — useful for roving SSB.
- RX — RX fixed (SatPC32 RX-Fixed): only the uplink is corrected.
Switching mode (e.g. RS-44 SSB vs FT4) restores each mode’s last choice. Beacon-only modes hide these buttons.
Doppler line
Shows the current Doppler correction in kHz. It updates as the satellite moves — largest near acquisition and loss of signal.