Actually there is a geostationary channel that can be used by Ham Operators that is for free. https://othernet.is/

About 2 years ago, the APRS satellite ground station captures were made available worldwide via three GEO satellites for reception anywhere on earth. But I recently found that the OUTERnet system has changed to a new GEO satellite constellation and no longer uses INMARSAT L band satellites but is now using a KA band downlink over the USA. And that they are now selling a new KA receiver kit for this satellite.

Has anyone kept up with them? Here is my original WEB page but with the links changed from OUTnet to OTHERnet, but otherwise, not kept up to date. http://aprs.org/othernet.html

If anyone has one of their receivers or is receiving the downlink and/or wants to help me get my web page all cleaned up to what has changed over the last two years, let me know.

This is a powerful capability. I hope we can keep it working.

The way it is supposed to work is that you can send a specially formatted APRS packet (position, status or message) on any APRS network (terrestrial or satellite) and it should get parsed by the APRS-IS. Therer it can be captured by the OTHERNET non-profit ground station and uplinked to the APRS channel on their satellites to the downlink that anyone can receive. Ostensibly a ham radio volunteer global emergency backup channel.

Its round-about, but a possible play-point...

Bob, Wb4APR

-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org On Behalf Of Brad Smith via AMSAT-BB Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 4:03 PM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Transponders For Rent???

Yes, I would rent in a minute. This would be my solution for working the sats. in the Wisconsin Winter! Brad Smith KC9UQR <So, like "FM Tower for Rent", signs as seen all over the U.S., could we soon see "GEO TV Satellite transponder for rent" as well ?Maybe this could be an answer to a ham GEO transponder ?>