Entry
Today Tony and Jad, two fellow researchers, join me on my hunt for the Transit 5B-5. We set up our equipment on a tree stump at a location in the north-east side of Rotterdam. Since we arrive earlier than the expected passing of the Transit 5B-5, I tune into the SATCOM frequencies and introduce Tony to the satellite radio pirates. I deliberately try to use an incorrect demodulation method on their voices and also detuning the frequency and that leads to some unexpected and satisfying results. The voices are not recognizable anymore, the sound resembles a really heavy digital distortion, producing glitch-like rhythms. These pulses suddenly blend with weeping sounds of a coot in the distance. The poor coot had broken its leg. Jad tries to help it, but it limps away in pain. Shortly it is time for the ghost satellite to appear, I quickly readjust the receiver and the antenna and we wait for it to rise over the horizon. It quickly gets dark, I hope the satellite can receive enough sunlight. As I move the antenna along the satellites trajectory I pickup only noise and interferences. For a glimpse I think I can hear the satellite but soon I realize it is probably the cell tower on top of the apartment block next to us. If the satellite is still transmitting it would not be strong enough to penetrate through the towers signal. Again no luck today.