S.E.T.I. is the ongoing search using radio telescopes to find extra terrestrial life. The acronym stands for S earching for E xtra T errestrial I ntelligence.
Some people say it's a bunch of hot air.
But really, it's an extreemly scientific study. The equipment used is not that of popsicle sticks, but rather well designed microwave recieving devices. Most SETI participants, and those involved in Project Argus , use a satellite dish to collect all the signals and focus them into a single antenna or feedhorn. From there the signal is greatly amplified and filtered so that we don't hear all the other radio noise eminating from our planet. Our computers monitor the sound we hear comming in through the large ear of a dish.