What can be used to determine the time period during which an amateur satellite or space station can be accessed?

Using a satellite tracking program is the most effective method for determining the time period during which an amateur satellite or space station can be accessed. These programs are designed to predict the positions of satellites in orbit, calculating their trajectories based on orbital elements. This allows operators to know exactly when a satellite will be overhead and available for communication.

Satellite tracking programs take into account various factors such as the satellite's current location, its speed, and the inclination of its orbit relative to the Earth. By inputting your location, these programs can provide real-time data on when a satellite will rise, be at its highest point in the sky, and when it will set. This capability is essential for planning communications or experiments during the limited window of time that satellites are within line-of-sight.

While a GPS receiver could provide location data and potentially aid in determining satellite positions indirectly, it does not specifically give information on satellite access times. A field strength meter measures signal strength and could help assess communication quality once a satellite is accessed, but it doesn't provide predictive information about when a satellite will be above the horizon. A telescope can help visually locate a satellite but does not offer the timing information needed for effective communication.