AmicalSat's space weather observation is, in my mind, and apparently in the IARU Satellite Advisor's mind, an "experiment relating to the radio technique" which means it meets the definition of amateur. It is important to remember that, while a great many of us got interested in this aspect of the hobby due to the two-way communications aspect, the amateur satellite service is broader. There are certainly satellites up there transmitting on the amateur bands that should not be in our bands, but I believe AmicalSat does fit.
As for the manufacturer of the satellite? While, I don't feel that's relevant. I transmit on the amateur bands all the time with radios built for me by Yaesu, Kenwood, Elecraft, and Alinco. A satellite is best thought of as simply a piece of amateur station equipment, though one that's a bit more expensive and specialized than a commercial transceiver, and travelling faster and higher.
73,
Paul, N8HM
On Tue, Sep 1, 2020 at 3:47 PM Zach Metzinger via AMSAT-BB amsat-bb@amsat.org wrote:
On 09/01/20 14:33, Peter Goodhall (2M0SQL) wrote:
While I agree in part a lot of the telemetry satellites launched using ham freqs don't seem that relevant but in the case of Amicalsat it's highly relevant with it's science payload.
Is "Amicalsat" a satellite manufactured by the for-profit "SatRevolution S.A" company for csug.fr?
https://satrevolution.com/company/careers/
If so, it's even _less_ relevant to the mission of non-profit amateur radio. If the two aren't related, then I'm mistaken.
In any case, it appears to be a space weather satellite to send pictures down to earth. Do they even have an amateur callsign that will be transmitted? This one-way transmission, without much benefit to those outside the project, isn't furthering two-way amateur communications.
I respectfully disagree with you on its relevance in any way to amateur radio.
--- Zach N0ZGO _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb