Satgen562 Satellite and Internet by GM4IHJ ( BID SGEN562) 2000-01-01 In the mass of publicity about Low Earth Orbit Satellite Mobile Phones , successful or otherwise. The quiet introduction of the Orbcom store and forward LEOsat network has escaped most peoples notice. Which is strange because, as far as this writer is aware, it is the first successful combination of satellite and internet techniques. One of the complaints levelled against Amateur Radio store and forward satellites, is the amount of manual operation required at either end , to get the message up, and more important get it down to the right address. A situation unacceptable in a commercial system. But Orbcom have solved this in a novel way, which given the new licensing rules being suggested for British radio amateurs , could perhaps soon become quite common in amateur radio. In essence the Orbcom system allows say - a remote unmanned oil welhead to automatically telemeter up to passing Orbcom satellites, data on fuel temperature, flow rate, viscosity etc. Then as the satellite procedes on its orbital way over more civilized regions , it overflies one of several ground stations and downloads it data message. Where upon the ground station immediately emails the data via the internet to the intended recipient. Variations on this theme which may already be possible in some, or coming soon to other amater radio regions , could permit :- a. Internet users to monitor satellite repeaters or store and forward links , via ground station gateways. b. Internet user to participate in keyboard chat via satellite digipeaters accessible through gateways. c. Voice chat sessions using Iphone on internet connected to satellite gateways. A popular way perhaps of introducing new comers to amateur radio, and replete with possibilities if and when we get access to geostationary or molniya satellites which give hours of continuous service. d. Internet downloading of data from gateways connected to satellites far away sending, earth observation, meteorological , over views of aurora and or solar activity pictures and data. e. Internet access to everthing on the International space station via an amateur radio voice, data or picture link to suitable ground stations ie view ISS courtesy of amateur radio. Or as an alternative talk to ISS via Iphone Internet to amateur gateways. Nothing will happen suddenly . But once radio amateurs and would be radio amateurs become accustomed to using internet connections to terrestrial repeaters and gateways , a move to satellites will follow logicaly. There will of course be those who want amateur radio satellites to stay as they are. No one will stop them using satellites as they always have, provided of course that those satellites get built. But we would be very foolish indeed to ignore these new possibilities, affording as they do the ability to combine new developements in Electronic communications with amateur radio, and thereby continue to offer encouragement to newcomers, to our ever developing hobby.