Ed,
Remember that the passband for monitors is too narrow without fiddling with the filters in there somewhere. You can hear the satellite pass over, but getting the full range of image was something that required a bit of tinkering with standard scanners. And wideband was too wide if I recollect.
I got a specialized receiver built to the specs for satellite and liked it a lot. There were some Vangards and all, too, and then the one that was just on eBay which was from Germany and top notch. Wish I could have had more fun money bid higher on that one.
Ah, what fond memories. This was a very big deal in the ham circles a couple decades ago (did I just type that, egad) and there were even forums at the Dayton Hamvention Saturday mornings for quite a few years.
Too bad there wasn't the internet as there is now.
I was just out under my wooden deck and saw the crossed dipole I made for one of my projects and I still have a 130 MHz Quadrifilar Helix up on my roof that hasn't fed a signal to my shack in years, but could. I often think metaphysically when I see it and wonder if the antenna is still getting the signal and looking at the image itself. Not too many scotches, mind you.
Anyway, I'll look at that link, too. I have a NooElec SDR around here somewhere and maybe my interest will spring up again if the software has evolved to being able to decode and watch it all on a regular PC without specialized decoder boards from the guys down in Maitland FL and the expense of it all. I have to admit, the images from SSEC Modus feeds are very good, and HRPT is available from NOAA if you sign up. Nowadays the data files seem small compared to a hour download over dial up.
Keep the hobby and interest alive. Post ideas and notes.
Dale