For command and control and beacons, CatSat transmits and receives at 437.185 MHz
Beacons are transmitted from the satellite by default at 2400 baud, AX100 ASM+Golay. During operation, this can be increased to 9600 or 38400 baud.
Uplink to the spacecraft is encrypted.
For science data downlink, CatSat transmits at 10.47 GHz
When operating as a linear transponder, CatSat receives at 5 GHz and transmits at 10.47 GHz
CatSat is participating with SatNOGS, an open source network of satellite ground stations, to extend the capability to receive beacons beyond Tucson. As part of this participation, CatSat has a live dashboard showing all the information received from the spacecraft beacons. This dashboard is open to the public and updates as soon as new beacons are collected.