Satgen 163   Satellite Gateways - The Way Ahead    by GM4IHJ   12th May 92

Back in Satgen 96 in Jan 91, I had been talking to G3ZCZ/W3 the originator
of the gateway idea, and I wrote a brief piece suggesting that satellites
gateways were the way ahead. Noting that, too many Radio Amateurs steer
clear of satellite usage because the station hardware requirements are
expensive ,the expertise expected of users is enormous, and the
opportunities for your typical urban dweller in regard to site, antennas ,
power etc are strictly limited.
The pile of mail which rapidly covered my doormat was almost unanimous
1. I was encouraging the " Do Nothing Loafers and Layabouts "
2. No respectable sat user would contribute time and money to such a
project. So, ( my correspondents suggested ), it was a non starter.
Looked at with the hindsight of May 92, I have to point out that at the
lastest count, we now have more than 30 Pacsat Gateways doing a superb job
speeding the international packet traffic around the world. Half the mail
I get regarding satgen bulletins comes to me via GB7LAN or GB7LDI, (
Grateful Thanks to both ). I therefore now feel free to return to this
subject noting that " It is perfectly clear that if Amsat provide the
facilities, gateways builders will turn Phase 3D into a truly useful
international bird feeding both data and analog traffic worldwide".
I therefore respectfully suggest that Amsat now needs to look at how we
might utilise Phase 3D most effectively in a Gateway oriented climate. Yes
I do appreciate the howls of rage this will generate, as I propose opening
the floodgates to every layabout from Aberdeen to Adelaide. I know I will
be told that these folks " Will never contribute a penny to satellite
building". But that is no excuse what so ever for also excluding those who
by virtue of site, finances, limited time , or a myriad of other reasons,
presently find themselves unable to use these superhi altitude P3 birds.
We need to look at regulating this phenomenon, not throttling it at birth.
Can we set aside a part of the satellites frequency spectrum, for
gateways. Would we need to channelise these inputs. Do we encourage higher
frequency usage by suggesting user VHF/UHF in/out, gateway microwave
operation up /down " Eg only on the higher frequency satellite modes "
As the response to Uosat 3, Lusat and Pacsat has proved. Gateways we will
get. So now is the time to sort out in our minds a few rough suggestions
as to how we might best make the most of this situation. We do not have to
make fixed rules until we see how things progress when Phase 3D launches,
but we must set in motion enough discussion on the subject - right now .
So that we do not get caught with a developement which goes out of
control. Lots of hardy folks will solemly vow never to use a gateway. We
must provide frequency access for them, but alongside them we must allow
for the gateways to operate to the mutual benefit of both types of users.
Last but not least. Phase 3D is going to be expensive. We have failed to
use Oscar 10 and Oscar 13 to the maximum. If we fail to employ 3D to the
maximum I suggest we may never be given the cash to try again. AND
speaking of cash do be aware we need lots of money for Phase 3D . You can
send your contributions quite painlessly by Master card/Visa (please quote
expiry date ) to AMSAT , 850 Sligo Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA
That way you do not have to worry about currency exchange. 73 de GM4IHJ