The AMSAT Echo satellite, also known as AO-51, has been the most widely usedamateur satellite due to its ability to provide basic radio communications with verysimple ground station equipment. It provides an FM repeater function that has very widegeographical coverage allowing amateur radio operators to communicate over substantialdistances using just a handheld transceiver (i.e. a walkie-talkie) and a small handheldantenna. This type of satellite operation is often referred to as the EasySat mode due to itssimplicity. It is extremely valuable in providing an introduction to satellitecommunications and is often used for demonstrations given at schools, to scoutingorganizations and at amateur radio publicity events.
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