There are currently over 100 satellites which transmit (either as their downlink, or as a beacon) in the 70 cm amateur band. The frequency range 432 - 438 MHz is internationally allocated to the Earth Exploration Satellite Service on a secondary basis, however most of the satellites generally use the amateur satellite allocation of 435 - 438 MHz.

Permission to use the amateur frequencies is given by footnote 5.282 of the frequency allocation table in the ITU Radio Regulations, which states:

In the bands 435-438 MHz, 1 260-1 270 MHz, 2 400-2 450 MHz, 3 400-3 410 MHz (in Regions 2 and 3 only) and 5 650-5 670 MHz, the amateur-satellite service may operate subject to not causing harmful interference to other
services operating in accordance with the Table...

Wireless Waffle wanted to know if there was a particular hotspot within this frequency range where the majority of satellties were clustered, which would make it easier to set up a software radio (SDR) to search for these fleeting signals.

A bit of digging revealed a file containing all of the frequencies used by these satellites and some deft work with Excel formulas then revealed the answer to the question. And the answer is that the majority use frequencies between 437.2 and 437.6 MHz. Of the 176 active satellites frequencies analysed, 100 (or 57%) use frequencies in this range. So now you know and can sleep more soundly in your bed!

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