From: kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com (John Magliacane)
Subject: * SpaceNews 13-Apr-92 *
To: sci-space-news@rutgers.edu
Followup-To: sci.space
Keywords: SAREX Report, Amateur Radio In The 90's
Organization: ka2qhd - Ocean NJ
Date: Sat, 11 Apr 1992 03:24:03 GMT



Subject: * SpaceNews 13-Apr-92 *


SB NEWS @ AMSAT < KD2BD $SPC0413
* SpaceNews 13-Apr-92 *

Bulletin ID: $SPC0413


                              =========
                              SpaceNews
                              =========


                         MONDAY APRIL 13, 1992


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.



* SAREX REPORT FROM BELGIUM *
=============================
On 01-Apr-92, Jules, ON7XM heard MIR calling Atlantis at his home in
Belgium at 11:22 UTC.  Both spacecraft came into range on Jules at the
same time.  ON7XM reported hearding the following on 145.550 MHz:

"Atlantis Atlantis    I am spacestation MIR   U9MIR."

A few seconds later, he heard:

"Atlantis Atlantis    I am U....."  (broken up)

It was clear that U9MIR has difficulty speaking English.  After hearing
these transmissions, U8MIR was copied on packet:

U8MIR>IW0QPP [01-Apr-92  11:24:30] <UA R F>
U8MIR-1>F5JA [01-Apr-92  11:24:32] <DM R F>

Dirk Frimout, ON1AFD, was at the mike on Atlantis during this pass, and
contacted PI9IRC, Estec in the Netherlands.

[Info via Jules, ON7XM]


* AMATEUR RADIO AND THE 90's *
==============================
Amateur radio operators have always been an innovative group of
experimenters.  The basis and purpose of the Amateur Radio Service
as defined by the FCC places a lot of emphasis on advancing
communications technology.  As we head through the 90's, it is
becoming increasingly important that all amateurs help advance
the art of wireless communications, or risk losing valuable
frequency spectrum to commerical interests.

With each passing day, our world is becoming more digitally oriented.
Digital communications require wide bandwidths, and wide bandwidths
require UHF and microwave frequency spectrum use.  Lately, the
Amateur Radio Service has seen a marked increase in commercial
interests fighting to overtake our valuable UHF and microwave
bands.  The recent loss in the 220 MHz band to the United Parcel
Service is a perfect example of how easily an under-utilized
amateur band can be lost to commercial interests.

In order that we may prevent further losses to our valuable
frequency spectrum, it is important that amateur radio justify
its UHF and microwave frequency allocations.  "Populate or perish"
has always been the rule to live by.  However, populating a band with
FM voice repeaters does not justify keeping a frequency allocation.
It didn't work for 220 MHz, and it won't work for any of our other
bands either.  "Populate", in this case, means taking serious advantage
of our UHF spectrum to develop new modes of communications not possible,
practical, or legal on lower frequencies.  It means advanced
communications technology, such as high speed packet switching,
TCP/IP networking, satellite communications, moonbounce, digital
audio, and image communications, just to name a few.

All these modern communications techniques are held together by
one common thread:  The digital computer.  The "Codeless Technician"
class license was adopted by the FCC to attract computer enthusiasts
to amateur radio and encourage experimentation above 50 MHz.
Unfortunately, most of the new licensees never aspire to anything
beyond simple 2-meter FM voice repeater operation, adding further
congestion to an already overcrowded band.  Growth has never
really been a problem in the Amateur Radio Service.  Retention,
however is the real problem.  It has been estimated that only
20 percent of amateur radio operators are "active", where
"active" is defined as tuning a receiver at least once every
two weeks.  If 80 percent of the already licensed amateurs have
lost interest in amateur radio, how can we expect to attract
new blood?

Perhaps the answer lies in the way we, as amateurs, communicate.
Most of us are perfectly content in focusing our activities on
simple voice communications, which is something that can just
as easily be carried on CB or the telephone.  The plain truth is
that amateur radio is MUCH more than 2-way voice communications.
And while most agree this is true, few are bold enough to explore
anything beyond the established "norm".

Innovation requires a break from tradition and the established
"norm".  It is only through innovation that amateur radio can
truly grow and prosper.  The greatest potential for advancement
currently can be found in areas such as:

   OSCAR Satellites
   Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiments
   Packet Radio Networking
   Image Communications

Claims that these areas are "too complicated" to be given consideration
are simply absurd.  Junior high school students have collected
spacecraft telemetry from OSCAR-17 and have studied its spin rate.
College students, such as those from Weber State College in Utah, and
the University of Surrey in England have designed and built their
own amateur satellites, and have had them launched into Earth orbit.
Other college groups have designed amateur radio experiments for
launching into Earth orbit or operation from the Space Shuttle.

As we head into the 90's, it is becoming increasingly important
that these advanced areas be explored.  Only then can we
realistically aid the growth and prosperity of amateur radio.

So, BE a part of history, and explore the new frontiers amateur radio
has to offer.  You'll be glad you did!


* FEEDBACK/INPUT WELCOMED *
===========================
Mail to SpaceNews should be directed to the editor (John, KD2BD) via any
of the following paths:

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INTERNET : kd2bd@ka2qhd.de.com -OR- kd2bd%ka2qhd@ocpt.ccur.com

MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Electronics Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
           U.S.A.


    <<=- SpaceNews: The first amateur newsletter to be read in space! -=>>

/EX
-- 
John A. Magliacane                 FAX  : (908) 747-7107
Electronics Technology Department  AMPR : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
Brookdale Community College        UUCP : ...!rutgers!ka2qhd!kd2bd
Lincroft, NJ  07738  USA           VOICE: (908) 842-1900 ext 3607