Satgen 124     Space Bulletins   by GM4IHJ      11th August 91

In the recent packet debate about Space Bulletins , the view has been
expressed by X , that " They have nothing to do with Amateur Radio ". I
appreciate that many radio amateurs take the view that " We invented
shortwave radio , and nothing worthwhile has happened since ".But neither
I nor a lot of other radio amateurs share that view. We have no desire to
stay in that rut and in our branch of amateur radio much is happening,
which would not exist if we did not have packet radio space bulletins :-

Our one and only Oscar 13 sat is suffering from the delusion that it is a
kamikaze pilot and it wants to crash to earth. Study of non radio amateur
molniya orbit data ex sat bulls is helping us understand what is going on
, and hopefully allowing us to make sure it does not happen again.
Regular data on lunar circling non ham experimental sats ISEE3/ICE and
others has allowed us to understand why moonbounce often fails.
We knew nothing about propagation through the ionosphere until non ham DSP
P76, Cosmos 1686, Salyut 7, Sirio, SRET 2, helped us find out what went on
X should try checking the geosats ( data in packet bulls ), he would see
how far behind our little attempts at high speed packet comms really are. 
We recently got store/forward packsats. To be ready for them , one had to
have an in space test signal of the right kind. Our own Fuji 1 was duff.
Fortunately we had non ham Hilat, Polar Bear and others to set up AFC on.
How would X test Digital signal processing, or spread spectrum gear? He
may not want to, but my friends do. We can't afford pricey test gear but
courtesy of packet bulls, we can find suitable test signals in space.
Is X planning to follow Amsat DL's Mars and the Japanese Moon probes? Lots
of us are.We will refine our equipment/techniques between now and launch
on present/up coming deep space flights. MHz, launch data and ,track data,
will I hope be in sat bulls. Indeed some new amateur sats will accompany
deep space launches ( Cluster, Helios, SOHO,etc). Does X mind if people
use space bull info to track some of the present vehicles whilst waiting
for the one Amateur Mars mission or does he insist they must follow it
unprepared.Lets keep upto date. There is something to learn in all these
bulletins (even the "what not to do" like Vikings earth pointing hiatus ).
Are you into HF contests. Do you really understand the modern studies of
HF non great circle propagation (much of it done via space bulls and non
amateur sats )? If not, you are not going to remain a top contestant

Please, if you wish, ignore all this space bull. Enjoy 80m or what ever
turns you on. But do not deny others the right to use amateur radio
facilities in pursuit of their legitimate asperations. We need to broaden
packet to handle all tastes, not narrow it down to one group or another.
We will not win any WARC battles over our frequencies by pleading the
status quo. We must show that we really are educating and training
ourselves in ways which amply justify our frequency allocations. I think
the space boys and their packet bulls can show proof of this - can you ?
Comments ,brickbats , to John GM4IHJ @ GB7SAN.
PS. Mir is not QRV HF. HFTx heard was TR8CA relaying 2m Mir down, on 15m.