First Amateur Radio in Geosynchronous Orbit Will Aid Disaster Communications

GreenBankTelescopeCould it be we will have a true geosynchronous satellite for Amateurs in 2017?! I hope so, and we will not need an antenna this big to use it!

This was first reported in Wireless Design Magazine

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 Center’s 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.

The full article may be found following this link.

I have really been enjoying trying to catch the satellites and the International Space Station as I am able, but it really is catch as catch can due to orbiting times and changing horizon points. A geosynchronous orbit satellite means we could plant an antenna pointed directly at the satellite and find it there day or night. I for one am ready!! I might even dedicate an inexpensive dual-band radio to it assuming typical satellite repeater protocol is used.

I will post more details as I find out additional information.  Cheers! Robert

Robert Gulley, AK3Q, is the author of this post and a regular contributor to the SWLing Post. Robert also blogs at All Things Radio.

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6 thoughts on “First Amateur Radio in Geosynchronous Orbit Will Aid Disaster Communications

  1. William Pietschman (W8LV)

    I would like to see a geosynchronous OSCAR for both general and emergency use. Or, some existing transponder space in a satellite already in use, that could be freed up for emergency work and practice.
    While the Clarke Belt is a pretty crowded bit of Real Estate, we wouldn’t take up a lot of band space, especially on SSB. Or course, FM is wider, but no doppler shift!

    It would go a long way in being an asset, and our presence in society, along with the realtive value of our transmissions would be better understood, and hopefully valued by the public in general.

    Reply
  2. Mario Filippi

    Great news, it’ll be like having a repeater 22,600 miles high. Might be the salvation for hams in places with HOA’s.

    Reply

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