On 2/28/2020 12:05, Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB wrote:
Has anyone tried copying the Ka-band transmissions (24 GHz, IIRC)?
That can only be active over UW footprint, so the number of stations that could listen in is limited by that fact. Too, unless they publish some information on their planned operation times, there would be no way to know what passes they may activate it.
HuskySat-1 is as Burns said, but perhaps more simply put, not an amateur radio satellite. It is licensed by FCC as Part 5 with a downlink in the 70cm amateur band. Their operation of experiments, timing of such, findings and dealings with the satellite, are all solely their desire and their private information. Please do not confuse the fact that it has the AMSAT LTM as the COM1 radio system with that meaning that HuskySat-1 is an amateur radio satellite.
HuskySat-1 will be an amateur radio satellite when UW is finished with their commissioning, experiments, and data collecting, as they hand over operation to AMSAT. This should be coming in the next few months. You can help them with their science by copying telemetry and using FoxTelem to decode and forward it to the AMSAT C.S. where they can have access to Health Mode information from stations worldwide. When they run Science Mode, you can copy telemetry as well however that too will be limited to activation over the UW footprint. While FoxTelem will gather this important science and send it to the C.S. it will not display the values or results of any of the experiments included in the science as I mentioned, those are private and operated under their Part 5 FCC license.
We can all help to get HuskySat-1 into Part 97 operation by doing the following to help them as one of AMSAT's partners: Copy as much telemetry as possible and be sure that FoxTelem is set to send it to the C.S. Watch the University of Washington Husky Satellite Lab website and social media for news or announcements regarding operation of HuskySat-1 Accept the fact that their various use of science and resulting power budget may result in variation of telemetry beacon operation and power levels Do not directly contact UWHSL with questions regarding their operation nor the current status of the LTM beacon operation or power levels Let them do their thing with their satellite and remember that when they are finished, they are graciously giving the satellite operation to AMSAT. Please do not bite the hand that feeds you.
Discussion or questions regarding the LTM are fine, part of ham radio with any satellite, station, or signal. But, please remember that we (AMSAT) can and will not directly answer any questions as to the current operation or times of operation of the LTM telemetry beacon. While we are available, advising, and working with UWHSL as requested in order to help them with any questions on the operation of LTM, we will not speak for HuskySat-1 in any way unless and until they ask us or give us permission. The video I did recently was entirely based upon information that I received prior permisson from UWHSL for my use in the video. Daily ups and downs of telemetry signal and HuskySat-1 LTM operation are not included in any way in that single permission nor do I expect to ask them for further information or permission until we make the handover to AMSAT.
Let the kids commission, discover, test, operate, learn, and deal with any of the number of Murphy possibilities that go with a satellite. Their project and the learning that goes with it are what this is about. AMSAT supports space-related education as you well know, and providing an AMSAT radio such as LTM that can/will become an amateur radio satellite as part of the satellite orbit lifetime is one aspect of that outreach. What the students learn about amateur radio as a necessary adjunct to flying our radio is also a winning situation for amateur radio in general, I think we all generally agree that once you get your Tech ticket, it's kinda hard to shake off especially if you are involved technical industry aspects such as the WUHSL students are.
If they take a likin' to us because they see that we are simply underpaid professionals and that we add value to their work, we may find that there will be opportunities for future partnerships that bring AMSAT other opportunities to "keep amateur radio in space" for a fraction of the cost of building a Fox. You can be certain that I think and proceed with that in mind, underpaid or not. And of course, you are the we as well, as we all represent amateur radio, the amateur radio satellite specialty of amateur radio, and along with our members, AMSAT.
I am inspired and excited about what these HSL kids are doing and I am enjoying watching them go through the same ups and downs that I have, that AMSAT Engineers have, with their first satellite. They are not quitters, they are quite determined and whether their individual chief takeaways are landing a great job doing what they like or having participated in making an amateur radio satellite it's worth the work we put into our first LTM, right there.
Jerry Buxton, NØJY
Standard disclaimer - when I say kids I mean anyone of any age who enjoys playing with amateur satellite stuff, a kid at heart.