[amsat-bb] Band designators, Modes

[RSoifer1 at aol.com]

We have been using the term "Mode K" to describe 21 MHz uplink/29 MHz  
downlink because that is what AMSAT called it when it first came into use in  
1987.  Similarly, the terms "Mode A" and "Mode B" came into use in 1974  
because that is what the engineers who designed AMSAT-OSCAR 7 called them.   AO-7 
actually has four modes: Mode C is a low-power version of Mode B, and Mode  
D is "transponder off." Then came Fuji-OSCAR 12 with Modes  JA (analogue) 
and JD (digital), where "J" stood for "Japan."  FCC even  included the 
definitions of Modes A and B in the written tests of that  era.
 
This "ancient history" has probably served its purpose.  Art is right:  
we'd do better to stick with the numbers.  
 
73 Ray W2RS