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

[John Brier]

https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/

They have a wideband webSDR too now which I hadn't seen yet:
https://eshail.batc.org.uk/wb/

On Thu, Aug 22, 2019 at 12:40 PM Joe via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb at amsat.org> wrote:
>
> There is that Geo bird over Africa.
>
> I had the URL for a site that lets you listen to the whole bird passband.
>
> When it first went up I listened to it a LOT and was amazed at all the
> different modes and coverage.
>
> But I can't find the URL anymore. I was gonna go and listen to see what
> the activity level is now like since it is much older and the newness
> has worn off.
>
> Joe WB9SBD
> Sig
> The Original Rolling Ball Clock
> Idle Tyme
> Idle-Tyme.com
> http://www.idle-tyme.com
> On 8/22/2019 10:04 AM, Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL) via AMSAT-BB 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
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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
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> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
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