Les,
Fully agree, and this is quite important for us here subject to Cyclones every year. In case of failure of all Telco networks HAM’s may provide some relief.
HF is not really as a reliable option these days, I am running a Winlink RMS on HF for the past 5 years for fellow yachtmen crossing the Indian Ocean and for emergency com , reliability is low,. Thus QO-100 is (24/7) is bridging the gap as far as Emcom for 3B8 is concern.
I fully agree with you that such argument may be sold to authorities, commercial operators and others to get more GEO transponders in the sky.
To my opinion it deserves trying and to be be tenace to succeed.
73
Jean Marc (3B8DU)
On Jul 29, 2019, at 8:27 PM, Les Rayburn via AMSAT-BB [email protected] wrote:
One application for a geostationary satellite that should not be discounted would be emergency communications. During Hurricane Michael in the panhandle of Florida last year, amateur radio (HF) was critical despite scores of temporary cell towers being deployed into the area.
We were on the ground, embedded with law enforcement for over a week in Panama City, and saw first-hand the communication difficulties.
Problems with IP routing prevented many of these temporary cell sites from working properly, forcing amateur radio back into the forefront.
Ditto Hurricane Maria, where the island location made communications difficult.
Having a geostationary amateur satellite available 24/7 would greatly increase the ability of amateur radio to provide EMCOMM on a backup basis to served agencies when needed.
This is a mission that would appeal to DoD, Congress, and many other stakeholders. AMSAT should discuss these possibilities with the ARRL and begin lobbying our contacts on the Hill to find a ride for this mission.
73,
Les Rayburn, N1LF Maylene, AL EM63nf AMSAT #38965, ARRL Life Member, CVHS Life Member, SVHF Member
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