Current Operational Satellites
There are a number of operational satellites and that is good news! The list changes frequently. The website www.amsat.org/status/ is your best source of the list of current satellites and their operational status.
Getting Started with Satellites
If you would like to try your hands at satellites, AMSAT-OSCAR SO-50 is a great place to start. This is a FM satellite that is in a polar orbit and makes a circuit around the earth in about 90 minutes. It should be available over your QTH from one to several times a day for ten minutes.
It can easily be worked with a 5-watt dual band HT capable of split operation and a simple antenna
There are many sources of Pass Predictions. An easy one to use - and it is free - can be found at http://www.amsat.org/track/index.php. Satellite operating frequencies can be found at https://www.amsat.org/fm-satellite-frequency-summary/.
Details about getting started are available in these documents:
A more comprehensive review of the topic is available in "Satellite Basics and AMSAT Update" (2018) by John Kludt, K4SQC. Click here to download a PDF copy.
AMSAT Fox Project
The AMSAT Fox project is almost complete and has placed three operational FM satellites AO-85, AO-91 and AO-92 in orbit. Two more launches are planned for later this year. Information on making contacts through these satellites can be found a number of places including: https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/FoxOperatingGuide_May2015_Hi.pdf
ARISS
ARISS stands for "Amateur Radio on the International Space Station." This is a program sponsored by AMSAT, the ARRL, NASA, CASIS and space agencies from around the world that allows students to talk with an astronaut. From time to time there are conacts being made that can be monitored with a 2 meter HT and a whip antenna. While you cannot hear the uplink - the students questions - you can hear the down link -the astronauts answers on 145.800 MHz. Please watch this NFARL page for upcoming monitoring opportunities.
I am frequently asked if the astronauts ever make random contacts and the practical answer is "No." Astronauts are scheduled in five minute blocks of time and just don't have the time for making unscheduled contacts.
John Kludt, K4SQC, AMSAT Ambassador