Operating Ham Radio via satellites in space

Ham radio is a multi faceted hobby.    The one facet that I enjoy most is related to working stations around the world using earth orbiting satellites.    All current operational satellites are in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).    The commonly accepted definition for LEO is between 100 - 1,240 miles (160 - 2,000 km) above the Earth's surface.     Hams can operate some LEO satellites with only a hand carry transceiver while satellites require a little more sophisticated setup.    For my operation I use a steerable array.    At the present time I can operate in the 2 meter, 70 Cm, 2.4 GHz (receive only) and have equipment and antennas (yet to be mounted) to operate 1.2 Ghz.

Not all satellite activity is about talking to other ham stations.    There are many satellites in orbit that were placed there by students from various universities around the world as part of their satellite building and operating curriculum.    Many of these transmit various data back to earth in support of their experiments.    Click here for a short Youtube video by Henk, PA3GUO explaining one such project.

End of file 11/2/11