A hamsat monitors its solar cells and battery. Its telemetry beacon reports the amount of current being generated by the solar cells, the voltage available from the battery, the temperature of the battery, transmitter power, temperatures of other parts of the satellite, and other useful information. Such telemetry data is easily read by amateurs. Contests and achievement awards add spice to their time on the air. Weekly amateur radio meetings are held on the air.
Participants spread the latest news of the amateur space program.
Several national organizations support amateur radio satellite construction and operation. Today it is an international organization dedicated to amateur digital communications.