AMSAT-UK

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Geosynchronous ham radio payload to aid disaster communications

Posted: 22 Dec 2015 11:39 AM PST
http://amsat-uk.org/2015/12/22/geosy...radio-payload/

Millennium Space Systems AQUILA M8 Series Satellite Structure

Phys.org interviews Hume Center Director of Research Bob McGwier N4HY about
aÂ*geosynchronous satellite amateur radio payload which will aid disaster
communications.

Researchers at the Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and
Technology are preparing to send an amateur radio transponder into a
geosynchronous orbit in 2017.

Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a new ham band will be
available for the Americas, said Robert McGwier, a research professor in
the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Hume
Centers director of research. It will allow rapid deployment to disaster
areas and support long-haul communications for first responders.

This would be the first amateur or ham radio payload in a geosynchronous
orbit, and would significantly enhance communications capabilities for
amateur radio operators, in particular following natural disasters or other
emergency situations. The Hume Center team met with Federal Emergency
Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate in September to discuss the
project.

Read the full story at

http://phys.org/news/2015-12-amateur...orbit-aid.html

What is a Geosynchronous orbit ?

http://amsat-uk.org/satellites/geosy...us/na-gso-sat/

Video of Geosynchronous ham radio project presentation

http://amsat-uk.org/2015/11/08/geosy...project-video/