[amsat-bb] Update: Rent GEO bandwidth for US

[Mike Diehl]

I had similar thoughts as well, Peter. I would also like to point out that we are always at risk of losing our spectrum to commercial interests because we’re not using it. It seems counterproductive to turn around and rent bandwidth on commercial bands further justifying their need to take our bands. 

73,
Mike Diehl
W8LID/VE6LID 

> On Aug 22, 2019, at 11:12, Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL) via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Michelle,
> 
> Excellent that they came back with the price and while the project
> sounds potentially interesting it's of course, not an amateur radio
> satellite, has anyone considered any risks for example, does this have
> the potential to raise questions when AMSAT approaches gov/orgs for
> discount launches for satellites we build that they might say that we
> could just go rent some transponder space.
> 
> I know in the states disaster comms is a huge point (weirdly not
> something that's pushed in Europe), but agencies could already access
> this kind of technology just by purchasing sat phones, for example, I
> have an iridium unit that lets me make calls and access the internet
> although slowly but handy in highlands of Scotland with poor mobile
> coverage.
> 
> By the sounds of this, it will be access points that then aggregate
> into a central point via probably internet backhaul then its dumped up
> to the satellite, to me that doesn't really feel within the ham
> spirit, although I'm sure tons would argue :)
> 
> I know there's a big desire for GEO over North America, but do ops
> really think this is the ultimate solution? we're talking 96000 USD
> over 4 years.
> 
> Think it really requires some heavy thought before just jumping on the idea.
> 
> Just my thoughts, and I know I'm on the other side of the pond in the
> QO-100 footprint.
> 
> Peter, 2M0SQL
> 
>> On Thu, 22 Aug 2019 at 02:36, Michelle Thompson via AMSAT-BB
>> <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
>> 
>> An arrangement on Echostar9 for 1MHz of bandwidth for up to 4 years of
>> USA+Mexico+Canada coverage is on offer for $2000 a month.
>> 
>> I'm putting together a grant proposal for ARRL, FEMA, and others to pay for
>> at least year of access. I've gotten some positive feedback already. I
>> think we can make this happen with some fundraising effort. I'm willing to
>> provide the human resources and whatever incidental financing needs to
>> happen to secure a grant for rental.
>> 
>> The main purpose of this type of system would be to enable field deployment
>> of "legacy mode" aggregators, like the Phase 4 Ground ARAP (Amateur Radio
>> Access Point). This is where traffic on any ham band, using FM or analog
>> gear, is digitized by a local "collecting" repeater, and is then sent to a
>> satellite from that repeater. FEMA and ARRL have expressed a lot of
>> interest and support for this in the past. Phase 4 Ground needs an ARAP in
>> order to support legacy radios.
>> 
>> You don't have to personally have a microwave digital uplink. The
>> aggregator equipment does that part for you.
>> 
>> This is most useful for public service and emergency communications. A
>> communications emergency is declared, someone (FEMA, Red Cross, motivated
>> ham volunteer) drops in the aggregator, and all ham traffic it hears is
>> sent to the satellite and then transmitted to the entire footprint.
>> 
>> The downlink is 12-14GHz. This is not 10GHz, but is receivable by
>> individuals using very inexpensive gear. Traffic can be repeated over the
>> internet.
>> 
>> What does this get us?
>> 
>> An opportunity to do all the R&D for the aggregator and get some experience
>> with uplinks.
>> 
>> What do we not have?
>> 
>> A true ham band downlink. You can still receive the downlink yourself, or
>> you can get it over the internet from an earth station distributor.
>> 
>> That's where we're at with *this* proposal.
>> 
>> I think it's worth it to provide a US-based way to design, deploy, test,
>> and use real world aggregator equipment. We learn a lot about GEO comms and
>> figure out a lot of the ins and outs.
>> 
>> Comment and critique welcome and encouraged.
>> 
>> More soon!
>> -Michelle W5NYV
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> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available
> to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed
> are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.
> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb