Oscar 100 narrowband transponder

Every few weeks I take a peek at activity levels on the geosynchronous satellite. I do this by looking at the webSDR at Goonhilly Down. My impression is this is well underused.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 activity levels

Every few weeks I take a look at the online SDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall , UK monitoring the narrowband transponder on this geosynchronous satellite. 

It has certainly encouraged amateurs to experiment with microwaves but, in my honest personal opinion, it has not attracted the following I was expecting. There is still plenty of space. 

In my view, because it does not cover the USA and Japan, we have not see dedicated Japanese "black boxes" which could transform things. There is not enough profit to make it worthwhile. 

This is a pity as it offered DXing without QSB at any time covering large parts of the planet with small, fixed antennas. There is no need for towers, big beams and linears. Antennas could even be ground mounted.

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

Every few weeks I take a look at activity levels on Oscar 100, which is a geosynchronous amateur satellite. 

Personally, I was expecting activity to be far higher. Indeed, it has encouraged some to experiment with microwaves, but it has not really caught on with DXers. There are many advantages: DX without QSB at any time within the footprint of the satellite, no need for linears, neighbour friendly fixed antennas that could be at ground level, etc..

There are no rigs from Japan probably as the satellite does not cover the USA and Japan. I suspect this is one reason why they have not bothered.

See  https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 - geosynchronous satellite

Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on the narrowband transponder on this satellite. There is also a wideband transponder aimed at ATV including DATV. At one time, probably still on, there was an ATV net on Oscar 100 on Thursdays at 2000z. This is streamed by the BATC.

Although this has encouraged many to try microwaves, I am disappointed more have not tried it. On the face of it, it offers DX with a small fixed antenna, without QSB at any time day or night as long as the satellite may be "seen".

The last time I looked was early evening, European time, on a weekday.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/.

Oscar 100 disappointment

In my view Oscar 100 has been a failure with usage far below expectations. 

My theory is that many have become zombie "black box" appliance operators who struggle to tell the difference between a resistor and transistor. Getting active on Oscar 100 is just too hard for most.

Amateur radio is meant to be about self training and research.  Does the growing cycle of carrots count? 😁

It is not helped by the big markets of Japan and the USA being outside its coverage.

It is my view, stated many many times before (sorry for the broken record) that amateur radio as we know it will be gone in 20 years as most people grow very old and no longer buy gear. I know of one local who bought a new rig and cannot operate it as there are too many adjustments!

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 activity

Every few weeks I try to give an update on activity levels on Oscar 100 geosynchronous satellite. The last time I looked was on European breakfast time on a weekday. Activity was pathetic. 

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

My last peek was late afternoon in Europe on a weekday.  To my surprise there was more activity than I expected. At this stage, I would have hoped for even more activity.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

Every few weeks I take a peek to judge the activity level. My last look was mid afternoon in Europe on a Sunday, when activity is likely to be good. Yet again, there were few stations and plenty of space. 

Judging by the activity levels, I cannot see another geosynchronous satellite happening soon. This underlines to me that the Amateur Radio Service is no longer about self training and research. Instead, most would appear to be "black box" operators. Getting on Oscar 100 is just too hard for most. Instead, many spend thousands on a rig, linear, tower and beam.

I can see the hobby dying out as many people age and no longer buy Japanese "black boxes".  Maybe before 2040?

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ 

Oscar 100 - getting better?

Every few weeks I look at activity levels on the narrowband transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. Most times it is a tail of woe with activity levels far below what I would have expected.  My last peek was at 1410z on a weekday afternoon in Europe.

This time, activity seemed better. In fact, I have never ever seen it busier!

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 narrowband transponder

Every few weeks I like to give an update on activity levels on this geosynchronous satellite by looking at the web SDR at Goonhilly Downs in Cornwall. The last time I looked was late afternoon in the UK on a Thursday. Activity levels remain low.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

 

Activity levels on the narrow-band transponder of this geosynchronous satellite are still very low with plenty of space. In my view, this satellite is a failure with activity levels way below what was expected.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/.

Oscar 100 narrowband

My most recent peek at this geosynchronous satellite last night was worse than last time! Activity was pathetic. My most recent look was at 2220z on a Wednesday evening. There were just 2 stations only active. 

My only recommendation is just don't bother. By now, I was expecting it to be busy, whereas it is seriously under-used. As mentioned before, people (well a few) enjoy the challenge of getting active, then lose interest. 

My own view is this is just too hard for the "appliance operators" of today. If one of the big manufacturers offered a rig (they won't as Japan and the USA are outside the footprint of the satellite), things would be different as "black box" operators could chat with much of the world without big beams and linears and with a small, fixed antenna. Don't tell them they can do this for free on the Internet!😀

What will happen? Things will carry on as now and activity might pick up as solar activity wanes. What is needed is a low cost add-on to enable appliance operators to get on the satellite using their main rig.

People happily shell out huge amounts for linears, beams and towers. None of these would be needed.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 narrowband activity

Every few weeks I take a peek at activity on the narrow-band transponder of this satellite. Although a bit busier than the last time I looked, it is still well under-used.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Oscar 100 narrowband

Every few weeks I take a peek at activity levels on the narrowband transponder on Oscar 100 using the on-line SDR at Goonhilly Down. Although I cannot comment on the wideband transponder, the narrowband transponder is very under used. My last look was early weekend in Europe.

ATV via Oscar 100

Typical TV picture via Oscar 100

Every Thursday evening at 2000z, BATC has a TV net on Oscar 100. I am disappointed that the only people I have seen are UK stations, but this confirms that there are some very bright people about. I am very impressed.

See https://batc.org.uk/live/oscar100net .

Reminder - ATV net on Oscar 100 live stream

 A reminder that BATC live streams the ATV net on Thursdays at 2000z on Oscar 100. I must remember this and watch!

See https://batc.org.uk/live/oscar100net

UPDATE 2130z:  It worked well, although I was disappointed that there were only G, GW and GI stations on the net, but considering the path was 44000 miles, the quality of the pictures was excellent. There are some very clever people around - far cleverer than me! To get a good TV picture through the satellite requires RF skills, TV knowledge and software skills.

DATV via Oscar 100

As mentioned yesterday there is a live stream of the (D?)ATV net on Oscar 100 starting at 2000z Thursdays. I must try to remember this as I have never seen live ATV via this geosynchronous satellite.

See https://batc.org.uk/live/oscar100net .

Oscar 100 - worst yet?

It has never seemed this bad. The photo shows the narrowband transponder on a European weekend morning. Where is everyone? 

Stations on Oscar 100 at 1010z

UPDATE 1012z: A little better, but still very under-used.

Oscar 100 wideband transponder spectrum

UPDATE 1020z: There appears to be better use of the wideband transponder on Oscar 100. Although there is a spectrum display (see photo), I am not aware of a site with DATV streams. If so, I do not know of it.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .

Apparently (this was news to me) there is a weekly TV net on Oscar 100 on Thursday nights at 2000z. 

See https://batc.org.uk/live/oscar100net . This link streams the results. I must check this out.

Oscar 100 activity - terrible!

Every few weeks I give an update on activity levels on the narrow-band transponder of this geosynchronous satellite. It is very low! 

The only activity seems to be from Germany and these are just "59" exchanges. As far as I can tell, this is a total failure. The satellite works well, but people do not like talking through this "repeater in the sky".

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/.

Oscar 100 geosynchronous

Activity on the narrowband
transponder of Oscar 100
on New Year's Day afternoon

Well, on a European Sunday, New Year's Day when many are on leave, you would have expected this satellite to be as busy as ever. In fact there was hardly anyone on at 1525z! In my view, this is a pity. It is unlikely we will get a second chance of a piggy back ride.   People have voted with their feet and do not like repeaters in the sky.

See https://eshail.batc.org.uk/nb/ .