Well, I took a crack at a possible draft Map: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/AMSAT/AMSAT-OAs.GIF
I used the minimum distances such as for the ISS. I have no idea about loading over Sibera, India and the Middle East.
Just an idea. Bob, WB4APR
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Robert
Bruninga
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2008 2:18 PM To: 'OZ1MY'; 'john heath' Cc: 'AMSAT-BB' Subject: [amsat-bb] AMSAT Operating Areas (OA's)
There are -worlds- of difference when we try to make rules for satellite operations.
For example, using the BBS on ISS. It is extremely
inefficient
to attempt to logon to this BBS over Europe and the USA since
it
blocks other users from the more efficient digipeater mode designed for those high density areas.
However, a station in Hawaii, surrounded by 16 million square miles of ocean has virtually unlimited access. Similarly,
some
stations in South Africa, Australia/New Zealand, South America and others may be able to make practical use of it, with out interfereing with anyone.
The GLOBAL map of HAM radio activity is extremely diverse,
with
probably 95% of the HAM Radio population all sharing only 5%
of
the footprints of our satelites. Trying to make "rules"
without
accounting for this 400-to-1 diversity severly limits the utility of our satellites.
I propose that AMSAT endorse a global AMSAT map of
"Operational
Areas". There are 4 categories:
OA/0 - Isolated. Hawaii, Arctic, Antarctic, South Africa etc OA/A - Area, Regional. (Australia, NZ, Japan? Etc) OA/B - Border (10% footprint overlap into OA/C areas OA/C - Congested. USA, Europe
Then if we ever need to make any flat statements about operations, then it can very clearly be designated as to what operating recommendations apply where.
Further, such a map would help educate the satellite user
about
orbital geometry and network planning. It would also
encourage
better use of our satellites over remote areas where we can actually contribute very well to communications applications.
Any discussion about "operational receommendations" is a waste of time without also identify the area where it applies. This map should be published in ALL amateur radio publications that mention Amateur Satellites. It should be come as common as
the
callsign maps...
Anyone want to take a crack at drawing the map?
This same map can also overlay the "INTERFERENCE" areas which shows the footprint areas of HIGH QRM from pirates. These shaded areas would also help educate not only our users, but
our
regulatory bodies as well.
Bob, WB4APR
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