Summary Report

Present:
Delegates representing:
AMSAT NA
JAMSAT
SA AMSAT

1.0 WELCOMING

1.1 Ray Soifer, Chairperson of the meeting, welcomed all present.

2.0 REPORT FROM REGION 2 MEETING

2.1 Ray Soifer delivered a brief report from the IARU Region 2 meeting

2.1.1 IARU R2 adopted recommendations dealing with unauthorised operations in the amateur VHF/UHF bands and providing further assistance to CRAG with respect to amateur operation at 430 -- 440 MHz in Guatemala.

2.1.2 IARU R2 asked those experiencing interference to amateur satellites from unauthorised 2 metre operations in Mexico to document these observations and to report them to their country's IARU member society for further action. In the USA such reports should go to Brennan Price at ARRL HQ.

2.2 A discussion followed. There was some concern that reports of intrusions did not result in action. Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV pointed out although it may appear often to be the case, the wheels of governments move slowly. Without documented evidence it was difficult for societies to act and report unauthorised operations to their governments and the National Society in the country where the offence is taking place. He appealed to all to continue reporting intrusions. Ray Soifer undertook to write a short item for ANS and distribution on the AMSAT web and AMSAT International.
W2RS to action

3.0 IARU SATELLITE ADVISER AND IARU AMSAT FREQUENCY CO-ORDINATOR REPORT

3.1 Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV presented his report which basically dealt with the revision of position of the AMSAT Frequency Co-ordinator.

3.1.1 The changing environment which is seeing the entry of many educational institutions into the Amateur satellite scene has made it difficult to find one person who has the experience or knowledge to carry out the co-ordination on a world-wide basis. What is considered an Amateur Satellite in one country does not necessarily hold for another country. Although the guidelines set out what is considered to fall within the ambit of amateur satellites, it is local interpretation of what Amateur Radio is, that often clouds the issue.

3.1.2 The current process lacks transparency, which has created many difficulties amongst prospective satellite builders to plan their payloads and frequency requirements at the early stage of their development.

3.1.3 ZS6AKV proposed the following for consideration of the forum:

3.1.3.1 To replace the current position of the IARU AMSAT Frequency Co-ordinator with a panel that supports the IARU Satellite Adviser. This panel will consist of not more than 5 persons.

3.1.3.2 To create WebPage listings of all past, current and co-ordinated amateur satellites. This would enable prospective satellite builders to have an immediate view of frequencies currently in use, frequencies co-ordinated for future satellite and historical frequency information.

3.1.3.3 To develop a questionnaire that will guide prospective satellite builders through the information required. This questionnaire will assist the advisory panel to make meaningful contributions to the co-ordination process.

3.2 The forum discussed the proposal and gave their full support. It will the Satellite Adviser's task to set up and maintain the frequency WebPages.
ZS6AKV to action

(The Satellite Adviser is appointed by the Administrative Council of the IARU)

3.3 The forum discussed the composition of the advisory panel and recommended that at least one person should be resident in each IARU region and that at least one person on the panel has expert knowledge of the Educational Satellite fraternity.

3.4 The forum supported the questionnaire proposal.
ZS6AKV to action

3.5 However, in view of the current travel situation since the events of September 11, it was noted that very few national Amsat organisations from other parts of the world were represented, it was therefor proposed and agreed to present the proposal on AMSAT International for comment.
ZS6AKV to action

4.0 OTHER MATTERS

4.1 The question of the guidelines was discussed. It was agreed to publish the document: "Information for prospective owners and operators of satellites utilising frequencies allocated to the amateur-satellite service" in as many AMSAT publications as possible and to refer for the full document to www.iaru.org.
ZS6AKV and W2RS to action

4.2 There was substantial discussion on the proliferation of "Educational Satellites". Many have no amateur links or payload and are not incidental to the purpose of the amateur service or of a personal nature. There was a general consensus that satellites with no amateur payload don't belong in the amateur bands.

4.3 Jan King W3GEY told the forum that he was planning to visit various institutions and investigate possibilities to find ways to have other frequencies allocated for the satellite (no in amateur bands).
ZS6AKV to follow up

4.4 The next IARU International Satellite Forum will be held in conjunction with the AMSAT UK Colloquium at the University of Surrey on Friday 26 July 2002 at 19:00

The forum concluded with a vote of thanks to AMSAT NA,