Jul 20 2025

23cm Restrictions in Europe

The 67th CEPT Electronic Communications Committee (ECC) Plenary Meeting, held June 24-27, approved ECC Decision (25)01 imposing restrictions on both Amateur and Amateur-Satellite operation in the 23cm band (1258-1300 MHz). It entered into force on June 27, 2025, with a preferred date for implementation of December 27, 2025.

In order to account for amateur service installations that are authorized and operational in the frequency range 1258-1296 MHz in many CEPT countries, administrations may, on national level, define a transitional period to comply, with the expectation this could take up to three years according to national circumstances.

The meeting minutes record:

6.2 APPROVAL FOR PUBLICATION OF DRAFT ECC DECISION (25)01 ON GALILEO AND ITS PROTECTION IN 1258-1300 MHZ FROM RADIO AMATEUR

The WG FM Chairman introduced the draft ECC Decision (25)01 on Galileo and protection measures in 1258-1300 MHz in Annex 06 to 026, which was endorsed by WG FM for publication by the ECC.

24 administrations indicated their intention to implement this Decision, while 1 administration indicated their intention to implement it partially.

Germany stated that they have to determine how to implement this Decision at national level.

The United Kingdom informed the meeting that it will implement decides 1 (designation of the frequency bands for Galileo) but will not apply the technical conditions on amateur and amateur-satellite in decides 2.

Meeting minutes https://cept.org/documents/ecc/89968/ecc-25-042_minutes-67th-ecc-meeting

Amateur-Satellite Service restrictions (bandwidth must be ≤ 150 kHz):

i) 1260-1262 MHz Maximum permitted EIRP:

−3 dBW (500 milliwatts) for 0° ≤ θ < 15°
17 dBW (50 watts) for 15° ≤ θ < 55°
26.8 dBW (478 watts) for 55° ≤ θ < 90°

where θ = elevation angle of amateur station antenna

ii) 1262-1270 MHz: Maximum permitted EIRP = −17 dBW (20 milliwatts)

Read the full CEPT ECC Decision (25)01 to see the restrictions on the rest of the 23cm band https://docdb.cept.org/download/4782

The 24 administrations currently studying the implementation of ECC/DEC/(25)01 appear on the Status page at https://docdb.cept.org/implementation/28651

IARU Region 1 paper on ECC/DEC/(25)01 published July 21, 2025 https://www.iaru-r1.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ECC-Decision2501-support-paper.pdf

WRC-23 saw the publication of ITU-R Recommendation M.2164-0

Follow AMSAT-UK on X

Jul 11 2025

SSTV from the ISS in July

An ARISS SSTV event from the International Space Station will begin no earlier than July 14 with the expectation that the event will run through the weekend into the beginning of the following week.

This is all subject to Axiom Mission AX-4 schedule and other operational considerations. AX-4 is expected to depart from ISS on Monday, July 14 at 11:05 GMT (12:05pm BST)

The subject will be the 50th anniversary of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) and the 40th anniversary of STS-51F.

STS-51F was the second SAREX flight and had the first use of SSTV in human spaceflight.

Start: Monday, July 14 1605 GMT (10:45am BST)
End: Sunday, July 20 1800 GMT (7pm BST)

Frequency: 145.800 MHz FM (+/-3.5 kHz Doppler Shift)
SSTV Mode: PD120 (Transmission cycle 2 minutes on, 2 minutes off)

You are invited to upload decoded images in the ARISS gallery, area “ARISS Series 28 Apollo Soyuz and STS-51F” at: https://ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/

Once you’ve submitted, just clicking on the dedicated button you can apply for the official ARISS SSTV award.

Also, you can request the ARISS QSL by contacting the European QSL bureau: https://www.ariss-eu.org/index.php/ariss-station/european-qsl-bureau

To support everyone interested in such events, the European Space Agency released tutorials about how to receive pictures transmitted over amateur radio by the International Space Station: you can find them on https://issfanclub.eu/2024/11/08/esa-tips-how-to-get-pictures-from-the-international-space-station-via-amateur-radio-2/

It’s always possible to receive the ISS SSTV signal by using the WebSDR at the Goonhilly Earth Station, the audio can then be fed into your PC or Smartphone SSTV App https://vhf-goonhilly.batc.org.uk/

Follow @ARISS_intl on X for official updates, since changes can occur.

Reminder, the images are sent on a (roughly) 2 minutes on, 2 minutes off schedule. So if you don’t hear anything, give it 2 minutes!

Many FM rigs can be switched been wide and narrow deviation FM filters. For best results you should select the filter for wider deviation FM. Handhelds generally have a single wide filter fitted as standard.

You can get predictions for the ISS pass times at https://www.amsat.org/track/

Useful information on receiving the pictures and links for Apps to display the pictures can be found here:
https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/

You may be able to get publicity for the amateur radio hobby if you contact your local newspaper and tell them you’ve received a picture (doesn’t have to be perfect) from the International Space Station, see
https://amsat-uk.org/2015/02/04/iss-sstv-in-uk-press/

Follow AMSAT-UK on X

Jul 4 2025

AMSAT-UK Support Student Payload on Sub Orbital Launch from Oman

Stellar Kinetics Kia-1 and support teams at Etlaq Spaceport Oman

A team of 6 students from the University of Surrey, the University of Portsmouth and the University of Southampton are integrating equipment they designed, manufactured and tested to a 12m high Stellar Kinetics Kia-1 rocket in Southern Oman.

Jovian-O and pod at Surrey university for vibration testing

The launch from Etlaq Spaceport, to an anticipated altitude of 500km, will be the first flight of the 2 stage Kia-1 rocket and is one of 5 planned test flights from Etlaq this year. The spaceport is located at 18 degrees latitude overlooking the Indian Ocean, making it an ideal location for launching vehicles into multiple orbits, including equatorial orbit, sun-synchronous orbit, polar orbit, medium Earth orbit, and geostationary orbit. The Spaceport should be fully operational by 2027.

The Universities payload, known as Jovian-O, will test a student designed 6U CubeSat deployment pod and its payload. The battery powered ‘satellite’ will not completely deploy from its pod, but remain tethered to it. However it will capture video and still images of the deployment process verifying correct operation of the pod. It will also flight test hardware from the imaging payload DAVE, ( Dual Aperture for Viewing Earth) which will fly on the future Jovian-1 orbital mission along with an AMSAT-UK educational outreach and U/V FM transponder.

Students integrating the Jovian-O 6U payload

The images transmitted from Jovian-O during this sub orbital test flight use 500kb/sec QPSK. AMSAT-UK provided a high gain 4W 435MHz amplifier for the mission and a deployable 435MHz antenna. Data will be received at Etlaq by the student’s portable ground station.

Follow @EtlaqSpace and @stellarkinetics on X

Duqm-2 launch https://www.etlaq.om/launches/duqm-2

University of Surrey https://www.surrey.ac.uk/news/uk-students-launch-international-space-mission

Space South Central – Joint Universities Programme for In-Orbit Training, Education and Research https://www.spacesouthcentral.com/jupiter

Follow AMSAT-UK on X

Jul 2 2025

Amateur Radio Satellites in TES Magazine

International Space Station – Image credit NASA

Amateur radio can open up a new world of opportunities for students, says teacher Chris Aitken MM0WIC, @skipperAitken on X, who shares his tips on how to start a club in the Times Educational Supplement – TES Magazine.

“In 2023 I officially started the Wick High School Radio Club, with a callsign of GM0WHS. The aim of the club was to expose our students to the wide range of activities available in amateur radio.

I remember our first activity: talking to another amateur in England via the SO-50 satellite. I stood with three students on the rugby pitch, antennas pointing to the sky and talking to another amateur, Nick M1DDD.

By the end of the contact, we had 30 students around us wondering what was going on. Their curiosity sparked, we answered questions on what we were doing and invited them to take part.”

Read the TES magazine article at
https://www.tes.com/magazine/teaching-learning/general/why-i-started-amateur-radio-club-my-school

Online Amateur Radio Foundation Course M6KFA There is no better way to explore the fascinating world of wireless communication than by becoming a radio amateur.

This free online 3-week amateur radio course will enable you to become a radio amateur and get an Ofcom amateur radio licence and callsign, details and booking information at
https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/book-a-place/

Follow AMSAT-UK on X

Jun 26 2025

Use of 430-440 MHz by AST SpaceMobile constellation

434.100 MHz downlink received September 12, 2024 by PE0SAT

AST & Science LLC (AST SpaceMobile) currently have five Bluebird commercial satellites that use the amateur radio 430-440 MHz band. They were launched into Low Earth Orbit on September 12, 2024.

For an explanation of the problems these satellites cause see this post by AMSAT-DL President Peter Gülzow DB2OS https://community.libre.space/t/asts-bluebird-1-5/12255

Despite not being amateur satellites the first five commercial satellites use these amateur frequencies for telemetry links with a 50 kHz bandwidth: 430.5, 432.3, 434.1, 435.9 and 439.5 MHz.

AST SpaceMobile are planning to launch a further 243 satellites also using 430-440 MHz for TT&C. AST SpaceMobile say each UHF TT&C beam will support one command channel and one telemetry channel and the channel bandwidth will be between 64 kHz and 256 kHz.

In February they submitted a request to the FCC Space Bureau for use of the amateur band worldwide
https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=371448&x=.
Also see their June 20 filing https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/106201991509823/1

The 430-440 MHz band is used for a variety of Amateur Radio applications, examples include amateur space communications, weak-signal SSB, digital television, data communications, repeaters and other applications. The proposed 243 satellite constellation will cause interference to amateurs world-wide.

Read the detailed comment submitted to the FCC by the RSGB
https://fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10721151315294/1

The FCC wants to know what you think of this proposal, you can submit an Express Comment to the FCC by July 21 at
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express?proceeding[name]=25-201

If preferred you can submit a more detailed Standard Comment with .doc, .txt or .pdf attachments at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard
Enter 25-201 into Proceeding(s) field and click on the pop-up which says ’25-201 SPACE BUREAU ACCEPTS FOR FILING AST & SCIENCE, LLC MODIFICATION APPLICATION’ fill in required fields and attach your comments file.

AST SpaceMobile say they have ground stations in Australia, Argentina, Bulgaria and Korea.

In April the FCC responded with these questions to AST
https://forum.amsat-dl.org/cms/index.php?file-download/7502/

AST replied in May to the FCC questions regarding their filing, see their answer regarding IARU
https://apps.fcc.gov/els/GetAtt.html?id=376295

Table 1 – Frequencies Reflecting the Global Capabilities of the SpaceMobile System

June 20 AST Filing
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/106201991509823/1

June 20 FCC issued this Public Notice SB 25-201 – comments on the proposed use of these frequencies should be submitted to FCC by July 21, see
https://www.fcc.gov/document/space-bureau-accepts-filing-ast-science-llc-application

A summary of ~80 of the Standard Filings on FCC Proceeding 25-201 AST & Science LLC (AST SpaceMobile) has been published by Docket Rocket
https://docketrocket.substack.com/p/comments-on-asts-tt-and-c-application

Including those that just missed the filing deadline a total of 2332 comments were submitted. You view them at
https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/search-filings/results?q=(proceedings.name:(%2225-201%22))

For some background on FCC attitudes see the interview the Chief of the FCC’s Space Bureau, Jay Schwarz, gave to the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). It primarily concerns the ITU-R EPFD limits but it reflects the new thinking at the FCC about getting rid of “outdated assumptions about system design and spectrum use”

How the FCC Space Bureau is Rethinking the Rules of Space
https://www.aei.org/technology-and-innovation/how-the-fcc-space-bureau-is-rethinking-the-rules-of-space/

PCMag story July 18: Ham Radio Users Clash With Starlink Rival AST SpaceMobile Over Spectrum Use by Michael Kan KB6IRQ (@Michael_Kan on X)
https://www.pcmag.com/news/ham-radio-users-clash-with-starlink-rival-ast-spacemobile-over-spectrum

PCMag story August 6: No Interference? AST SpaceMobile Defends Use of Ham Radio Spectrum by Michael Kan KB6IRQ (@Michael_Kan on X)
https://www.pcmag.com/news/no-interference-ast-spacemobile-defends-use-of-ham-radio-spectrum

PCMag story August 8: Ham Radio Users Explain Why They’re Worried About AST SpaceMobile’s Satellite Plans by Michael Kan KB6IRQ (@Michael_Kan on X)
https://uk.pcmag.com/wireless-carriers/159498/ham-radio-users-explain-why-theyre-worried-about-ast-spacemobiles-satellite-plans

Follow AMSAT-UK on X

Jun 2 2025

ISS Contact with Dublin Students

Students at Technological University of Dublin will talk via ham radio with astronaut Takaya Onishi KF5LKS on the International Space Station.

The contact is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, at 12:10 UTC (1:10 PM BST) via EI1ISS.

The contact on 145.800 MHz FM +/- 3.5 kHz Doppler should be receivable outdoors in the British Isles and Western Europe using just handheld radio and 1/4 wave whip.

Many amateur FM radios can be switched been wide and narrow deviation FM filters, usually marked FM-N (narrow) and FM. For best results you should select the filter for wider 5 kHz deviation FM. Handhelds generally have a single wide filter fitted as standard.

Don’t have a radio for 145.8 MHz? Use your phone to tune in online using the Goonhilly WebSDR radio https://vhf-goonhilly.batc.org.uk/

A live video feed of the event is planned, check the ARISS YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@ARISSlive

For the latest information follow ARISS on X: https://x.com/ARISS_Intl

Follow Takaya Onishi on X: https://x.com/Astro_Onishi

The demonstration of amateur radio communication from space invites schools and universities to make use of these educational technical resources. We invite radio amateurs and space enthusiasts to tune in to this exciting moment.

Students First Names & Questions:

1. Wojtek : What is the most challenging part of your day as an astronaut?
2. Lucy : Do your eyes get dry in space?
3. Alfie : Is it lonely to be so far away from home?
4. Laila : What is it like to sneeze in space?
5. Leon : What inspired you to be an astronaut?
6. Seoirse : What has been your greatest scientific discovery on ISS?
7. Logan : How do you get your oxygen in the ISS?
8. Lilly-Mae : Are you able to have tea in space?
9. Joshua : How do you know if you are upside down?
10. Isobel : Do you have any advice for kids who want to be an astronaut when they grow up?
11. Harrison : Is the ISS automatic or do you actually have to pilot it?
12. Reggie : What does space smell like?
13. Wojtek : Are there germs in space?
14. Lucy : Does it get cold in the ISS or do you have heating?
15. Alfie : How do you know when to go to sleep?
16. Laila : What is it like being outside the spaceship?
17. Leon : How do you entertain yourself when you are not working?
18. Seoirse : Is there anything that is really hard to do in space that is easy on Earth?
19. Logan : How do you keep fit and healthy in space?
20. Lilly-Mae : What is the coolest thing you have seen in space?
21. Joshua : How do you celebrate your birthday?
22. Isobel : What is your favourite food?

Check the ARISS website for more updates.
https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: