V/u - VHF Uplink or transmit and UHF Downlink or receive.  Was known as Mode J.

V/a - UHF Uplink or transmit and 10 meter Downlink or receive.
Was known as Mode A.
AO-7 is in this mode alternating with U/v every other day.

Tracking

AOS - Acquisition of Signal.  Start of the satellite pass and when the satellite comes above the horizon.

TCA - Time of Closes Approach.  Middle of the pass at the highest elevation.

LOS - Loss of Signal.  End of the pass and when the satellite goes below the horizon.

Azimuth - Measured in degrees around your QTH.  Picture a 360 degree circle with 0 degrees being due north, 270 west, 180 south and 90 east.

Elevation - Measured in degrees above the horizon a satellite is from your QTH.  0 degrees would be at the horizon and 90 is directly overhead.

Tracking programs will show the Azimuth and Elevation of the satellite through out the pass so you know where to point your antenna. When working portable this is approximate and helps to track via signal strength rather than precise azimuth and elevation. 

Keplerian
Elements

Keplerian Elements or Keps as they are called are a set of numbers that indicate the orbit of the satellites.  These must be updated on a regular basis for our tracking programs to be correct. Elements should be updated weekly at a minimum.  Update methods very between tracking programs.

Amsat Keps Tutorial

Frequency

Doppler Shift - The change in frequency of due to the speed of the satellite.  VHF usually does not need adjusted if using the FM satellites but on SSB the shift is more apparent on VHF.  UHF on average is 10 khz higher at AOS than the satellites transmit frequency, on the transmit frequency at TCA and 10 khz lower at LOS. 

General Satellite Information

Grid Squares / Handhelds for FM Satellite Operations / Antennas / Satellite Tracking Programs

Grid Squares worked via Satellites

Red are FM Satellites, the Blue are SSB Satellite, Purple both FM and SSB.

Grids Worked in the Pacific Ocean were contacts with UT1FG, Yuri, a cargo ship captain.

Program used to plot Grid Squares is GCMWIN by SM3GSJ                Grid Square Locator

Calculate a mutual pass between two Grid Squares for any amateur satellite.  Satmatch

A note on my website.  I attempt to give the most accurate information as I know it about amateur radio satellites.  Amateur satellite communications is of special interest to me as I have been involved in this aspect of the hobby since the AO-10, 13 and 40 years.  I track and monitor not only amateur satellites but many others.  I try not to reinvent the wheel such as information on cubesats that is well documented other places on the web.  See the DK3WN link above and the links to the launch information above as well.  If I locate a great resources of information I will add the link to Satellite Resources.  If you have any questions not covered here or a suggestion on a link please email me at ka7fvv@arrl.net.  Thanks for visiting my page and I hope you are able to use the information that I present.  Scott, KA7FVV

Handhelds Radios for working FM Satellites

If you can program split-frequency memories in your dualband radio or your dualband radio has two VFO's your can work FM satellites.  Other than the radios listed below I have also used the Icom ID-51 with two VFO's.  The Kenwood D72a will do full duplex using both VFO, The Kenwood D74a works well using the two VFO's but will not do full duplex like the D72a I have read.  Most of the time when using a handheld you will be working the satellite half duplex. 

Make sure you can hear the satellite before transmitting.  Consider that the satellite will always here you.  Receive is the most critical part of satellite operations.

The Icom W32a is one of the best radios for satellite work since it has two VFO's and displays.  I have the memory programmed with the satellite frequencies for doppler shift as listed in my satellite frequency table linked above.   This allows me to just move through memory locations during a pass.  Using a speaker mic and having the radio set to mute the subband you will not get feedback through the satellite.
The Kenwood TH-D72a is an excellent handheld for FM satellites due to it having the ability to work full duplex.   This is also an APRS enabled radio so it works great for APRS Beaconing and Message through ISS and NO-84.  This radio is now my primary portable satellite radio.
The Yaesu FT1DR works will for satellites working them half duplex.  It is also a APRS enabled radio and works for APRS Beaconing and Messaging through ISS and NO-84.  Be it a little more difficult to send a message than with the Kenwood TH-D72a.
The Yaesu FT-60 is also an excellent radio for working FM satellites.  Instead of using dual VFO's you can program both the VHF and UHF split into a memory channel.  See Clint, K6LCS website for details on using and programming the FT-60 for FM satellites at www.work-sat.com.
The Baofeng UV-3R and UV-5R I have discovered work great for satellite work.  I have recently replaced my IC-W32a with the UV-5R on my portable satellite station. Like the Yeasu above the ability to program the UHF and VHF split into the same memory make this a great choice for satellites.  Even the low power UV-3R works great with my Arrow antenna.  This have been mixed results with these radios due to the lack of sensitivity of the receivers on some models.  It is very inconsistant.

Antennas for working FM Satellites

Programming for Doppler shift

Doppler shift on VHF is very small so this can be left on the uplink frequency.  UHF has a greater doppler shift and will be higher than the downlink frequency at AOS, approx. centered on the downlink at mid pass and will drift lower as the satellite approaches LOS.  The uplink doppler will need to be adjusted as shown per my satellite quick reference guide for Fox-1A (AO-85), AO-91 and AO-92.

Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites in V/u or U/v FM mode that are easy to work with minimal equipment.  I have worked a couple satellites with an extended rubber duck antenna and even mobile.

Arrow Antenna with duplexer and dualband handheld (Baofeng UV-5R) and LEO FM Satellites and  ISS.  This setup will assure clear signals to and from the satellites.  A little more challenging if you don't have a beam is  a handheld with a extended rubber duck antenna.  I have worked AO-51 handheld portable as well as the older UO-14 and SO-35.  I have seen videos on eBay that show satellite contacts made with an extended rubber duck and the UV-5R.

Portable satellite station.  Baofeng UV-5R and Arrow Antenna on a tripod mount.  Tracking program running on the iPhone is GoSatWatch.  Radio bracket is modeled after Randy, K7AGE model.  He has great YouTube videos about many aspects of amateur radio including satellites.

videos by K7AGE about working AO-51 and mounting the Arrow Antenna on a tripod.

Works great under XP.  Vista and Windows 7 requires it to be run in administrator mode or the tracking element updates will not save.

Track ISS in real time via NASA

Has a nice zoom feature

Other online satellite tracking resources

N2YO Tracking   Heavens Above   Amsat Predictions

Satellite Tracking for the PC and other devices

Satellite Tracking Links

Orbitron Satellite Tracking Page (Windows - Free)  #1 Recommended easy setup

WxTrack Satellite Tracking Page (Windows - Free)  Nice satellite icons - Setup is a little tedious

GPredict - (Windows - Free)  Another nice free program

   Satellite Pass Predictions from Amsat

AMSAT-AR Online Satellite Tracking 

G0KLA Tracker - KLA Tracker

Here is a pretty slick tracking program that shows upcoming passes and their elevation.

Download the tracker here  Versions for Windows, Linux and Mac are available.

Satellite Tracking in your Pocket

iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad Satellite Tracking ($)

These are both great programs for the iPhone/iPad.  I have them both and a couple different versions of the Vosworx programs.  I prefer the GoSatWatch functionality.

Three programs written by Vosworx and available for purchase from the Apple apps store will tracker ProSat, Hamsats and ISS.  Another great program is GoSatWatch.  This is a great program to use during a pass and will alert you when a pass is close..  
If you have one of these devices take a look in the Apps Store.

Tracking Programs for Android Devices

There are two great tracking programs for Android devices.  I run them on a Nexus Tablet. 

Amsat Droid Free - Very nice easy to use program

ISS Detector -  Nice feature rich program.  To track other than ISS and add on must be purchased for under $2.

If you have an Android device take a look in the Google Play Store.
Note: This program is also now available for IOS devices as well.