[amsat-bb] Husky-1 Xmit Power

[Jerry Buxton]

On 2/28/2020 12:05, Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> Has anyone tried copying the Ka-band transmissions (24 GHz, IIRC)? 
That can only be active over UW footprint, so the number of stations
that could listen in is limited by that fact.  Too, unless they publish
some information on their planned operation times, there would be no way
to know what passes they may activate it.

HuskySat-1 is as Burns said, but perhaps more simply put, not an amateur
radio satellite.  It is licensed by FCC as Part 5 with a downlink in the
70cm amateur band.  Their operation of experiments, timing of such,
findings and dealings with the satellite, are all solely their desire
and their private information.  Please do not confuse the fact that it
has the AMSAT LTM as the COM1 radio system with that meaning that
HuskySat-1 is an amateur radio satellite.

HuskySat-1 will be an amateur radio satellite when UW is finished with
their commissioning, experiments, and data collecting, as they hand over
operation to AMSAT.  This should be coming in the next few months.  You
can help them with their science by copying telemetry and using FoxTelem
to decode and forward it to the AMSAT C.S. where they can have access to
Health Mode information from stations worldwide.  When they run Science
Mode, you can copy telemetry as well however that too will be limited to
activation over the UW footprint.  While FoxTelem will gather this
important science and send it to the C.S. it will not display the values
or results of any of the experiments included in the science as I
mentioned, those are private and operated under their Part 5 FCC license.

We can all help to get HuskySat-1 into Part 97 operation by doing the
following to help them as one of AMSAT's partners:
Copy as much telemetry as possible and be sure that FoxTelem is set to
send it to the C.S.
Watch the University of Washington Husky Satellite Lab website and
social media for news or announcements regarding operation of HuskySat-1
Accept the fact that their various use of science and resulting power
budget may result in variation of telemetry beacon operation and power
levels
Do not directly contact UWHSL with questions regarding their operation
nor the current status of the LTM beacon operation or power levels
Let them do their thing with their satellite and remember that when they
are finished, they are graciously giving the satellite operation to
AMSAT.  Please do not bite the hand that feeds you.

Discussion or questions regarding the LTM are fine, part of ham radio
with any satellite, station, or signal.  But, please remember that we
(AMSAT) can and will not directly answer any questions as to the current
operation or times of operation of the LTM telemetry beacon.  While we
are available, advising, and working with UWHSL as requested in order to
help them with any questions on the operation of LTM, we will not speak
for HuskySat-1 in any way unless and until they ask us or give us
permission. 
The video I did recently was entirely based upon information that I
received prior permisson from UWHSL for my use in the video.  Daily ups
and downs of telemetry signal and HuskySat-1 LTM operation are not
included in any way in that single permission nor do I expect to ask
them for further information or permission until we make the handover to
AMSAT. 

Let the kids commission, discover, test, operate, learn, and deal with
any of the number of Murphy possibilities that go with a satellite. 
Their project and the learning that goes with it are what this is
about.  AMSAT supports space-related education as you well know, and
providing an AMSAT radio such as LTM that can/will become an amateur
radio satellite as part of the satellite orbit lifetime is one aspect of
that outreach.  What the students learn about amateur radio as a
necessary adjunct to flying our radio is also a winning situation for
amateur radio in general, I think we all generally agree that once you
get your Tech ticket, it's kinda hard to shake off especially if you are
involved technical industry aspects such as the WUHSL students are. 

If they take a likin' to us because they see that we are simply
underpaid professionals and that we add value to their work, we may find
that there will be opportunities for future partnerships that bring
AMSAT other opportunities to "keep amateur radio in space" for a
fraction of the cost of building a Fox.  You can be certain that I think
and proceed with that in mind, underpaid or not.   
And of course, you are the we as well, as we all represent amateur
radio, the amateur radio satellite specialty of amateur radio, and along
with our members, AMSAT. 

I am inspired and excited about what these HSL kids are doing and I am
enjoying watching them go through the same ups and downs that I have,
that AMSAT Engineers have, with their first satellite.  They are not
quitters, they are quite determined and whether their individual chief
takeaways are landing a great job doing what they like or having
participated in making an amateur radio satellite it's worth the work we
put into our first LTM, right there.

Jerry Buxton, NØJY

Standard disclaimer - when I say kids I mean anyone of any age who enjoys playing with amateur satellite stuff, a kid at heart.