For those just getting into Satellites, the FM birds present in easy way to get started, both in terms of equipment required and configuration of the radios to talk to the satellites. Each of the FM birds can be a little different to work. I have a page for each one so you can take things at your own pace, working additional birds as you become more comfortable with satellite operations
Each satellite has it own page giving information on how to program your radio, what antennas work the best, what to expect on each satellite in terms of operating procedures, etc. One thing to remember when first starting to work the birds is not to transmit if you cant hear the bird. More than one pass where I have tried to work a satellite has been consumed by someone calling Cq, repeatedly saying test or whistling or blowing into their microphone. If you can't hear the bird, make sure you have a clear view of the sky where the bird is supposed to be. If you don't, move to where you do have a good view as trees and foliage will severely attenuate the signal coming from the sats.
By now, you have noticed a combination of letters following the satellite name. This is a way of denoting the mode of operation of the satellite. Previously known as Mode B, Mode J, etc., this newer way makes it a little easier without having to memorize a table of letters and translate them to the combination of uplink and downlinks to know how to talk to the bird. V refers to VHF, U refers to UHF, L refers to the 1.2Ghz band and S refers to 2.4Ghz.