REPORT TO THE AC AND AC RESPONSE

Hans van de Groenendaal reviewed his report to the AC and their comments on the various issues raised in the report.

1. The 2002 UK forum unanimously supported a proposal that the Administrative Council recommends to all three regions to recognise, through their respective band planning procedures, that the following segments are designated exclusively to Amateur satellite and space operation:

145,800 -146,000	MHz
435,000 - 438,000	MHZ
1,26 -1,27	GHZ
2,4 - 2,45	GHz
5,65 - 5,668	GHz uplink
5,83 - 5,85	GHz downlink
10,45 - 10,5	GHz
24,0 - 24,048	GHz

Additional frequencies above 47 GHz, allocated to the amateur-satellite service in the ITU Table, when they are incorporated into any Region's band plan in future.

With the exception of 145,800 -- 146,000 MHz, it is the IARU Administrative Council's view that it is not appropriate to set aside certain allocation sub-bands for amateur satellites. The Council further replied that it is not in a position to address detailed band planning issues but recommends that the matter be addressed with the appropriate experts in the respective regional organisations. The Region 1 Representatives on the AC have agreed to bring the matter to the attention of their VHF/UHF committee and will advise the Council of the committee's views.

2. With regard to educational satellites, the Council understands that it is sometimes difficult to determine whether a particular satellite that is intended to operate in the amateur-satellite segments should be licensed in the amateur-satellite service or as an experimental station. However, that is a matter for the licensing administration. The Council agrees that it is appropriate that such satellites be coordinated, since the benefits of doing so outweigh the potential disadvantages.

ADVISORY PANEL

The Advisory Panel was formed after consultation at the previous two International Satellite Fora. Currently, the following persons serve on the panel:

Region 1
Graham Shirville	G3VZV
Norbert Nothoff	DF5DP
Region 2
Ray Soifer	W2RS
Arthur Feller	W4ART
Region 3
Jan King	VK4GEY

Efforts are underway to encourage the Board of IARU Region 3 to appoint an additional person.

The Panel has made a significant contribution to the coordination process and has proved to be an invaluable asset.

REQUESTS FOR COORDINATION

During the two days preceding the Forum, the Satellite Advisor and panel members Ray Soifer, Arthur Feller and Graham Shirville spent considerable time on developing ways to streamline the coordination process and to make it more transparent. The following two documents were extensively revised and are now available on the IARU website www.iaru.org/satellites :

A website is being developed that will track the status of the coordination of each request. Details of the URL will be announced through the normal AMSAT news channels, and to IARU Member Societies

Using a reflector to transmit requests for coordination to the Satellite Advisor and the Panellists will also speed up the process. All requests should be directed to satcoord@iaru.org

A database of current and planned satellites is being developed and will be available within the next few months.

CREATING MORE AWARENESS

The Satellite Advisor will generate regular news updates to amateur radio and satellite news bulletins about the progress of various projects and new projects in the planning stage.

The forum identified the need to have more representation at small satellite conferences to explain the Amateur Satellite Service and the process of frequency coordination. The Satellite Advisor will submit a proposal to the IARU AC for their consideration to fund attendance at such conferences.

The Satellite Advisor, with the support and input from the advisory panel, will develop a paper for such conferences as well as articles for publication in appropriate technical media including publications such as QST, The AMSAT Journal, OSCAR News, CQ DL and Radio Communication.

The above activities will be reviewed at the next forum to be held in the UK at the end of July 2004.

COMMAND FREQUENCIES

While command frequencies are not published, AMSAT-NA suggested that the IARU Satellite Advisor maintain a record of command frequencies and that the panel use this information to review planned command channels for new projects and provide feedback as to the suitability of the planned frequencies, yet keeping confidentiality. The Satellite Advisor responded that he and the panel would implement this as soon as possible.

OTHER BUSINESS

Jim Heck G3WGM, Honorary Secretary of AMSAT UK, highlighted the problems experienced by holders of Foundation Class licences in the UK. These licensees may not operate on satellites despite having access to the 144-146 and 432-438 MHz bands, among others. Yet, satellite operation is frequently cited by prospective amateurs as one of the primary reasons for their interest in amateur radio.

Robin Haighton VE3FRH, President of AMSAT NA, proposed the following motion, seconded by Jim Heck: "That all National Societies and National AMSAT Organisations be encouraged to lobby the licensing authorities in their country to permit all licensed amateurs to operate on satellites within the limits of the frequencies authorised by their class of licence." The motion was unanimously adopted.

NEXT FORUM

The next forum will be held in July 2004 in conjunction with the AMSAT UK Colloquium at the University of Surrey, Guildford, England.