Hi, Bill,
Go to http://www.fcc.gov and search for “experimental.” Strongly suggest
reading Part 5 of the FCC rules first. (See:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR&searchPath=Title+5&oldPath=Title+5&isCollapsed=false&selectedYearFrom=2013&ycord=161.
You may have to wait for Title 47 (Telecommunications) to be added to the
2013 edition, then go to Part 5.) Make sure you have the version revised this
year.
Some thoughts for you.
To the good: Experimental stations can be assigned to any frequency.
Experimental stations may be licensed for all the purposes listed in Part 5 of
the FCC Rules and Regulations. Commercial ideas can be tried out. Operators
may be paid. Encryption may be used. Applications can be made online. The
cost is somewhere around $100.
To the bad: Operation is secondary to EVERYTHING. In case of causing
harmful interference, the experimental station is required to cure the problem,
which usually means being ordered to shut down immediately with no recourse.
In case of suffering harmful interference, it must be tolerated. (Not a good
options for significant investments in time and money.) Communication is
normally permitted only with stations listed on the license. Communication
with regularly licensed stations (including amateur) is forbidden.
International communication is normally forbidden, unless administrations made
arrangements in advance. International coordination is usually required.
One more thing on sharing bands allocated to the amateur-satellite service.
FCC now requires IARU coordination, though they didn’t give IARU notice. (This
story requires several 807’s.) To help out folks who had already built
projects thinking (erroneously) that they could fly as amateur, IARU worked out
an arrangement to provide coordination service on a TEMPORARY basis.
Coordination requested in the 144-146 MHz will no longer be provided for
experimental stations after mid 2014. See 2013 AMSAT Technical Symposium
Proceedings.
IMHO, appropriate radiocommunication services and frequency allocations are
already available, can provide international status, and should be applied for,
rather than amateur-satellite service frequencies. Fees will be required, but
FCC might waive their fees with a justified request. ITU fees are normally
required, except for amateur stations.
I hope this helps.
73, art…..
W4ART Arlington VA
On 20-Nov-2013, at 10:34 PM, Bill Ress <b...@hsmicrowave.com> wrote:
> Art,
>
> Aaah! I wasn't aware of that. Thanks for clearing it for me anyway. Can you
> point me to the FCC web link where I can understand (apply) for an
> experimental license for a Cubesat in the Amateur bands.
>
> Regards...Bill - N6GHz
>
> On 11/20/2013 4:29 PM, Arthur Feller wrote:
>> Hi, Bill,
>>
>> By special arrangement earlier this year, IARU agreed to provide
>> coordination service for experimental stations on an temporary basis. Many
>> of the experimental station operators are also licensed amateurs, however
>> that has no bearing on experimental station operation.
>>
>> More on this in the 2013 AMSAT Technical Symposium Proceedings. See the
>> article by Hans, ZS6AKV.
>>
>> 73, art…..
>> W4ART Arlington VA
>>
>>
>> On 20-Nov-2013, at 06:11 PM, Bill Ress <b...@hsmicrowave.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Art,
>>>
>>> Now I'm a little confused by your comment that most Cubesats are licensed
>>> as experimental. On yesterdays Minotaur launch, 17 Cubesats are operated by
>>> Amateurs and were coordinated through the IARU.
>>>
>>> Regards...Bill - N6GHz
>>>
>>> On 11/20/2013 2:50 PM, Arthur Feller wrote:
>>>> One thing we learned in bureaucrat school is that jumping to conclusions
>>>> is not a healthy exercise. :-)
>>>>
>>>> FCC licensed most of the new cubes as experimental stations and not as
>>>> amateur stations. Experimental stations may be assigned to any frequency,
>>>> provided they do not cause harmful interference to stations operating in
>>>> accordance with the ITU radio regulations. See RR Article 27 and 47 CFR
>>>> Part 5.
>>>>
>>>> These experimental stations are not operating in the amateur-satellite
>>>> service, only sharing the bands on a secondary basis. They are permitted
>>>> to communicate only with stations listed on their license, so it would be
>>>> inappropriate for them to seek help from amateurs, though amateurs may
>>>> certainly listen. Note that experimental stations may encrypt their
>>>> transmissions.
>>>>
>>>> Some of the satellites, such as TJ3SAT, and some others, are amateur
>>>> stations! Sure would be good for them to make a noise here on BB!!
>>>> (HINT!)
>>>>
>>>> I hope this helps.
>>>>
>>>> 73, art…..
>>>> W4ART Arlington VA
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 20-Nov-2013, at 07:56 AM, Stefan Wagener <wagen...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Well,
>>>>>
>>>>> because their are designed and operated by students and teachers with a
>>>>> valid ham radio licence!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 1:42 AM, Richard Ferryman
>>>>> <g4...@btinternet.com>wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Then why are those cubesats using amateur frequencies?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dick G4BBH
>>>>
>>>> http://afeller.us
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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>>
>> Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a
>> free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.
>> -Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President (1882-1945)
>>
>>
>>
>> http://afeller.us
>>
>
Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free
people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.
-Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President
(1882-1945)
http://afeller.us
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