[amsat-bb] AO92 L/V mode??

[Jerry Buxton]

On 2/19/2020 19:13, Fernando Ramirez via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> While we all appreciate N8MH and the other command stations ops efforts to
> switch the satellite mode, I still believe the Operations Team should
> request help from other operators with the necessary equipment, and time,
> in order to ease the burden of commanding our satellites. In almost 5 years
> working sats, I have never seen such requests.
While I can't speak for the enrollment of ground stations in general, I
can speak to the command of AO-92.

Since AO-92 has an imaging device that must be and is licensed by
NOAA/CRSRA, that puts some important limits on commanding.
I am the holder (POC) of the imaging license for Fox-1C and Fox-1D so I
get to be sure all of the rules are followed, if nothing else than for a
bit of CmYA.

The stations that command AO-92 must be licensed and operated in the
U.S., and effect security measures for ensuring their station and any
command devices are not accessible to anyone else including your family
members.
In addition to a quarterly audit and an annual audit that I must
undertake, the command stations must be open for NOAA inspection at all
reasonable times. 
There are strict limits on what we can image, which can generally be
summed up as "earth only", as any images of other satellites and objects
in orbit must be done so with the consent of the owner of the object and
absent that, must only be done if they are encrypted per USG approved
standards.  That last piece rules out taking any such images and sending
the data over amateur radio, just as we have an exemption from
encrypting earth images because we are amateur radio - but also limited
to earth images only because we can't encrypt any ARSO objects.
Command stations must be registered with and approve by NOAA/CRSRA, and
because of the nature of the steps for achieving that I would stress the
permanence of their participation to our VP Ops, i.e. being selective of
stations who can provide reliable command service for at least one year
and preferably, for the life of the satellite(s).
There are strict limits on resolution of the images, and the imagers are
capable of more than their licensed resolution therefore it is important
to ensure images are only captured and downlinked in the licensed format.

The command stations who are selected by AMSAT for imaging satellite
command privileges must be able to answer to me whether directly or via
VP Operations when queries or anomalies are brought to me by NOAA/CRSRA
as well as for audits.

This is not the entire list although it certainly covers the most
important items that come into play when selecting command stations.
As the responsible party for our imaging license I have determined that
given the amount of work involved, the sensitivity of the command
information, imaging, imaging control, and downlinked images, the
availability and capability to command AO-92, and the trust that must be
placed in an imaging capable command station, for the time being, only
three AMSAT command stations be allowed to command AO-92.

If access by additional command stations is shown to be a requirement
for the operation of AO-92, during consideration and vetting of the
candidate station by VP Operations I would provide input and make a
recommendation whether the station is qualified in my opinion, to
properly satisfy our NOAA/CRSRA imaging license.  As of this time, I
have seen nothing brought forth in debates on amsat-bb or other media
(and of course, I do not nor do I intend to look at them all) that shows
any sincere and responsible desire to function as a command station for
an imaging satellite, other than personal desires for days of operation
for Downshifter (Mode L, or L band operation).  I also would not expect
that any such requests would be made in the public forum given the
sensitivity of the operation, in other words in this case given by
Fernando, you will likely never see any discussion of at least the
imaging command stations here or anywhere other than an announcement of
a new command station.

Like EAR, like orbital debris, like the NDAs that we are part of in
getting satellites launched, and no, don't ask to see our license
because like the laws and agreements covering NOAA/CRSRA imaging
licenses, you won't see any of that here.  That is the nature of the
game, these days.  I play by NOAA (in this case, or any other of the
above) rules and we all work hard within those rules to put satellites
into orbit.  I know everybody wants to know everything, but put simply,
you can't.  It's not personal, it's business.  And while ham radio
(satellites) is a hobby, AMSAT and the in-space operation and control of
our satellites are strictly business.

I hope this provides some detail to expand on what happens, to show that
rather than the solution often bandied about when things don't seem to
happen the way someone wants it to as "because we're being mean", is not
true.  If I were mean, I wouldn't even take time to try to help you
understand!  

And now to be mean just to keep -bb in its groove, I will likely not
respond to any questions about this here because of the reasons above,
and because there are still many things to do to keep getting our next
three satellites on track to in-orbit.  Perhaps I can expand in an AMSAT
Journal piece, if there is truly enough interest (and I can do so
without violating our license)!   

73

Jerry Buxton, NØJY