Yes..I can see both sides of that. You are correct that if we communicate with ISS directly, then it is a contact with a remote station.
But the repeater is not functionally different than, say, AO-51, just a bit lower.
Of course, it isnt functionally different than a terrestrial cross band repeater either--except for the antenna height :)
Karl Sandstrom wrote:
The ISS is not a satellite. Satellite is an unmanned object the receives and retransmits but the ISS is manned. When you make a contact with them, your signal is not retransmitted. It terminates at the station.
Seems like the crossband repeater would be an exception but I can find no evidence that it is.
Karl R. Sandstrom, K5MAN Greenwell Springs, Louisiana
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