AMSAT-DL President, Peter Guelzow DB2OS, has confirmed there will be TWO amateur radio transponders on the Geostationary Es’hail 2 satellite planned to launch at the end of 2016
Peter Guelzow DB2OS has provided the following information:
Es’HailSat-2 will carry two geostationary “Phase 4” amateur radio transponders !!
As a result of a concept proposed by the Qatar Amateur Radio Society, Es’ Hailsat, the Qatar Satellite Company, have announced that their new, geostationary, Es’HailSat-2 communications spacecraft will provide transponders for use by radio amateurs. The spacecraft is expected to be ready for launch by the end of 2016.
Es’HailSat-2 will provide a 250 kHz linear transponder intended for conventional analogue (e.g. SSB / CW) operations in addition to another transponder which will have an 8 MHz bandwidth. The latter transponder is intended for experimental digital modulation schemes and DVB amateur television.
Precise uplink and downlink frequencies remain to be finalized but the uplinks will be in the 2.400-2.450 GHz and the downlinks in the 10.450-10.500 GHz amateur satellite service allocations.
Both transponders will have broad beam antennas to provide full coverage over about 1/3rd of the earth’s surface. Precise operational plans will be finalised over the coming months but it is anticipated that only quite simple ground equipment will be required to use this satellite.
A team of amateurs, led by Peter Guelzow DB2OS (President of AMSAT-DL) are providing technical support to this ground breaking project which is expected to provide an exciting new phase of activity for radio amateurs for the 21st century.
Source: AMSAT-DL