Operating Practices and Procedures

Revision Part 2

Learning outcomes this part

• Know that satellites orbit the Earth at heights above 150 km, and understand that amateur satellites are moving in relation to the Earth and will only be above the horizon at certain times.

• Know  that the up-link and down-link frequencies are generally in different amateur bands and that details are published by amateur organisations. Recall that the transmitting station must also be able to receive both the up-link and down-link signals.

• Know that amateur satellites can only be used when they are above the horizon at both the sending and receiving stations, and that the movement of the satellite will cause frequency variation (Doppler shift) on the received signal, which must be allowed for when selecting operating frequencies.

• Know that satellites have a very limited power supply, derived from solar panels, and that excessive up-link power may result in wasteful and unfair use of the satellite's power.