tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071048343455395511.post3010661696792360529..comments2024-03-24T22:03:31.205+00:00Comments on Roger G3XBM's (Mainly) Amateur Radio Blog: Geosynchronous amateur satellite next year?Roger G3XBMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13673890140751539870noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071048343455395511.post-70287614861277076032017-04-23T14:33:19.583+01:002017-04-23T14:33:19.583+01:00Yes, it's a very exciting development. North a...Yes, it's a very exciting development. North and South America are going to be covered by a second satellite on 5/10 GHz. The two satellites won't be linked, however, AFAICT. <br />24/7 continent-wide coverage is a huge game-changer, as you point out. No more worries about ionospheric propagation. No more towers and long dipoles. No more kilowatt QRO stations running the table. We can actually have conversations on satellites, instead of brief exchanges of grid squares. <br /> <br />OTOH, mobile operation could be difficult. And there won't be nice, quiet FM on the satellite; it will be more like HF in that regard. Conventions and etiquette will need to be established: calling frequencies, mode sub-bands, LSB/USB, etc. Perhaps the "band" will be "channelised". Overall, it's a combination of 'HF' simplex and repeater operation that will be unfamiliar to everyone. <br /> <br />Have you started designing any transverters yet? Or a simple digimode transceiver? There's your next million pounds right there, Roger. The demand for gear will be huge and immediate.Todd Dugdale https://www.blogger.com/profile/17584727904734922884noreply@blogger.com