The amateur satellite service is a radio communications service using amateur radio stations on satellites. (E1D02) In the amateur satellite service, the satellites are called space stations and are remotely controlled by telecommands.
Only 40m, 20m, 17m, 15m, 12m and 10m are the amateur service HF bands have frequencies authorized to space stations. (E1D07) 2 meters is the only VHF amateur service band that has frequencies available for space stations. (E1D08) 70 cm, 23 cm, 13 cm are the amateur service UHF bands that have frequencies available for a space station. (E1D09)
One special provision that a space station must incorporate in order to comply with space station requirements is that the space station must be capable of terminating transmissions by telecommand when directed by the FCC. (E1D06) A telecommand station in the amateur satellite service is an amateur station that transmits communications to initiate, modify or terminate functions of a space station. (E1D03)
An amateur station eligible to be a telecommand stations is any amateur station so designated by the space station licensee, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held by the control operator. (E1D10) All classes of licensees are authorized to be the control operator of a space station. (E1D05)
Another important concept in the amateur satellite service is the Earth station. An Earth station in the amateur satellite service is an amateur station within 50 km of the Earth’s surface intended for communications with amateur stations by means of objects in space. (E1D04) Any amateur station, subject to the privileges of the class of operator license held by the control operator is eligible to operate as an Earth station. (E1D11)
To obtain information about the operation of the space station itself, many space stations send telemetry. Telemetry is defined as one-way transmission of measurements at a distance from the measuring instrument. (E1D01)
Ned WB4BKO says
Now here’s a wild question:
If one is transmitting from space on the HF bands, using a band below 10 meters, how does the propagation work? Do signals bounce off the ionosphere and travel out into space, or will signals behave as they would when transmitted by a terrestrial station?
Any experts out there who can answer the question?
Ned