[amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle discussion seen from Copenhagen, Europe

[Tony Langdon]

At 03:56 AM 12/16/2007, Edward Cole wrote:
>Ib,
>
>I was only looking at my situation (and by default probably the rest
>of the Pacific).  I hadn't really considered the EU footprint.  These
>are good points to consider.  Since I would assume a max
>constellation of three P4 sats the decision for location preferences
>will have to juggle maximum coverage vs overlap between
>continents.  A wild guess is that enabling satellite linking may be
>the way for this instead of optimum intercontinental locations, but
>this should all be considered.  Perhaps mid ocean locations would be
>more useful than over land locations?  So 060W 180, 060E?

Well, another assumption we could put in is that there would be some 
linking between the satellites.  I'm sure that AMSAT or other keen 
people working in conjunction with AMSAT will want to setup ground 
stations specifically for inter-satellite links.  Certainly over 
ocean locations could mean more single hop (i.e. via one satellite) 
DX paths.  That would need to be balanced by the elevations in 
populated areas.  A Pacific satellite would be the toughest there, 
given that the Pacific is a huge ocean.


>In the end it will also be determined by what Intelsat will offer.

Indeed.  In any case, I really hope this comes off.  Even with 
current satellite modes (SSB/CW), Phase 4 makes it much more 
practical for me to work.  I've never been in a situation where 
rotators have been practical (even for terrestrial work), but fixed 
antennas pointing at one patch of the sky are certainly do-able.  I 
for one hope that we are able to make the most of this 
opportunity.  LEOs are fun and a good intro to satellite operation 
and orbital mechanics, but in these parts, they're probably 
equivalent to a well sited repeater in LA that's turned on for 15 
minutes several times a day, due to our lower population density 
(among satellite ops).  I'm really looking forward to the next P3 or 
P4 (within range, of course!) bird, when the opportunity presents 
itself. :)  P4 birds in the right places are especially interesting, 
but P3 (with a manual solution to the rotator problem ;) ) will be 
fun as well.  It's a pity that AO-40 ran into problems, I was taking 
a lot of interest in it at the time it was launched and was 
considering equipment options, but things don't always go our way.

73 de VK3JED
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