<p>This is like asking "can I spot polar bears from my back garden?" </p>

<p>There is nothing that would stop a determined polar bear from coming into my garden, so it is not impossible. But unless you live in Churchill, its probably not going to happen.</p>

<p>You can get a radio telescope, and it would be able to receive a sufficiently powerful signal. But detecting alien signals is hard: so far we haven't detected any. Even with big detectors.</p>

<p>Can you detect aliens: Yes.  Will you detect aliens: Probably not.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-01T12:57:57.617Z
2017-10-01T12:57:57.617Z
James K
<p>I would like to know please whether or not I can pick up alien radio signals from my backyard.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-01T00:36:18.340Z
Sure, you can try. My recommendation is to buy this amateur radio telescope (https://www.primalucelab.com/radioastronomy/spider230-amateur-radio-telescope.html) between several people.

Also, you can directly help scientists find extraterrestial intelligence without the need of any telescope; here how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdDS4j318UpKjNcpe_LeQxQ
The Exoplanets Channel
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-01T08:05:36.913Z
In addition to the fine answer/comment above.   After some 40 years of listening (not sure when the big ear was built), No nation on the Earth has found a definitive alien signal.   If they are out there, they're hard to find.
userLTK
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-01T13:09:06.530Z
@userLTK - You’re talking about undocumented aliens??? /s
iMerchant
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-02T02:23:37.627Z
Sometimes, picking up terrestrial radio signals is a problem.
Mick
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-02T12:24:48.780Z
Only if the aliens want to talk to you specifically.   They tell me I'm one of a very select group.
Carl Witthoft
<seti>
Can I pick up alien radio signals from my backyard?
Alberto
# Can I pick up alien radio signals from my backyard?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-10-01)

I would like to know please whether or not I can pick up alien radio signals from my backyard.

**Tags:** seti

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Sure, you can try. My recommendation is to buy this amateur radio telescope (https://www.primalucelab.com/radioastronomy/spider230-amateur-radio-telescope.html) between several people.  Also, you can directly help scientists find extraterrestial intelligence without the need of any telescope; here how to do it: https://www.youtube.com/username_1/UCdDS4j318UpKjNcpe_LeQxQ  
> **username_2**: In addition to the fine answer/comment above.   After some 40 years of listening (not sure when the big ear was built), No nation on the Earth has found a definitive alien signal.   If they are out there, they're hard to find.  
> **username_3**: @username_2 - You’re talking about undocumented aliens??? /s  
> **username_4**: Sometimes, picking up terrestrial radio signals is a problem.  
> **username_5**: Only if the aliens want to talk to you specifically.   They tell me I'm one of a very select group.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-10-01. Score: 4

This is like asking "can I spot polar bears from my back garden?"

There is nothing that would stop a determined polar bear from coming into my garden, so it is not impossible. But unless you live in Churchill, its probably not going to happen.

You can get a radio telescope, and it would be able to receive a sufficiently powerful signal. But detecting alien signals is hard: so far we haven't detected any. Even with big detectors.

Can you detect aliens: Yes. Will you detect aliens: Probably not.


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