On 8/7/22 12:45, Ashhar Farhan wrote:
> This is the problem of fm sats. It is the first pass the pole system. I
> wish we had more linear transponders.

Hello Ashhar,

I agree that FM satellites are of limited use due to the "capture"
effect and alligators. No matter how many FM channels we include on
future satellites, we'll always have someone getting stomped on.
Additionally, FM is not an efficient mode with regard to limited
satellite power. It requires much greater SNR than SSB/CW or digital
voice (with FEC).

Everyone on amsat-bb,

I see the need for innovation in the following areas:

1. More linear satellites for CW/SSB modes.

2. More _digital_ satellites for digital voice and networked data.

Packet is simple and effective, but we can do better in the future. 9k6
or faster uplink, 56k downlinks? How about linked satellites
(sat->Earth->sat or sat->sat if we're ambitious) using part of the
44.0.0.0/8 network and being amateur radio's "internet in space"?

3. Kit-form ground equipment

Yes, digital modes are better use of spectrum and power, but a 144/440
MHz SSB/CW kit could be done with a micro-controller that does the
Doppler adjustment for the user. Nothing requiring an external PC.

I envision a small board, the size of a pack of playing cards, which has
all the RF and processing needed to be a linear/digital (or even FM)
ground terminal for the above satellites. Use BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)
for the link to your cell phone or whatnot for the UI to keep it simple.

AMSAT needs volunteers with vision and, most importantly, _time_ to make
some of these visions a reality.

If any of this sounds interesting, please contact us!

https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat

Should you not get a reply, don't hesitate to send me a note and, as one
of your elected BoD members, I'll make sure your volunteer request is
evaluated and matched up with AMSATs needs. Don't worry if you're not
sure you have the skills to do it- We're all amateurs here and we all
had to learn at some point!

73,

--- Zach
N0ZGO