[amsat-bb] Re: AMSAT Operating Areas (OA's)

[Robert Bruninga]

Well, I took a crack at a possible draft Map:
http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/AMSAT/AMSAT-OAs.GIF

I used the minimum distances such as for the ISS.  I have no
idea about loading over Sibera, India and the Middle East.

Just an idea.  Bob, WB4APR 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org 
> [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On Behalf Of Robert
Bruninga
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:18 PM
> To: 'OZ1MY'; 'john heath'
> Cc: 'AMSAT-BB'
> Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Operating Areas (OA's)
> 
> There are -worlds- of difference when we try to make rules for
> satellite operations.
> 
> For example, using the BBS on ISS.  It is extremely
inefficient
> to attempt to logon to this BBS over Europe and the USA since
it
> blocks other users from the more efficient digipeater mode
> designed for those high density areas.  
> 
> However, a station in Hawaii, surrounded by 16 million square
> miles of ocean has virtually unlimited access.  Similarly,
some
> stations in South Africa, Australia/New Zealand, South America
> and others may be able to make practical use of it, with out
> interfereing with anyone.
> 
> The GLOBAL map of HAM radio activity is extremely diverse,
with
> probably 95% of the HAM Radio population all sharing only 5%
of
> the footprints of our satelites.  Trying to make "rules"
without
> accounting for this 400-to-1 diversity severly limits the
> utility of our satellites.
> 
> I propose that AMSAT endorse a global AMSAT map of
"Operational
> Areas".  There are 4 categories:
> 
> OA/0 - Isolated.  Hawaii, Arctic, Antarctic, South Africa etc
> OA/A - Area, Regional. (Australia, NZ, Japan? Etc)
> OA/B - Border (10% footprint overlap into OA/C areas
> OA/C - Congested. USA, Europe
> 
> Then if we ever need to make any flat statements about
> operations, then it can very clearly be designated as to what
> operating recommendations apply where.
> 
> Further, such a map would help educate the satellite user
about
> orbital geometry and network planning.  It would also
encourage
> better use of our satellites over remote areas where we can
> actually contribute very well to communications applications.
> 
> Any discussion about "operational receommendations" is a waste
> of time without also identify the area where it applies.  This
> map should be published in ALL amateur radio publications that
> mention Amateur Satellites.  It should be come as common as
the
> callsign maps...
> 
> Anyone want to take a crack at drawing the map?
> 
> This same map can also overlay the "INTERFERENCE" areas which
> shows the footprint areas of HIGH QRM from pirates.  These
> shaded areas would also help educate not only our users, but
our
> regulatory bodies as well.
> 
> Bob, WB4APR
> 
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