Amateur (ham) radio satellite communications is a very specialized and somewhatcomplex mode of communications. This mode provides worldwide communicationscapability to ham radio operators who have only met basic licensing requirements setforth by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). There are some inherent problemswith this communications mode however. First, the equipment is relatively expensive,around $3,000 to set up a satellite station. Second, setting up a satellite station can betechnically challenging for those who do not have a fairly extensive technicalbackground. Finally, in order to build and finance future amateur radio satellites, thiscommunications mode needs public exposure. This exposure will help solicitcontributions for the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSA T), a non-profitorganization which builds and launches amateur radio satellites. The purpose of thisproject is to provide an inexpensive means of access to ham radio satellites. A satellitegateway would provide access to ham radio satellites without the need for local area hamradio operators to buy, setup, and operate their own satellite station. This would save thelocal hams thousands of dollars as well as acclimate them to the advantages ofcommunications with other hams worldwide via satellite. The gateway would also be anexcellent vehicle to demonstrate satellite communications to a mass audience. Thisdemonstration would help further promote AMSA T and their work.
展开▼
