Qatari
Satellite to Include Geostationary Ham Transponders
A
commercial communications satellite planned for launch by Qatar in late 2016
will include two amateur radio transponders, one on 2.4 GHz and the other on 10
GHz. The satellite is planned for a geostationary orbit and if all is
successful, will provide the first "Phase 4" amateur satellite ever
launched.
The
Es'hail 2 satellite's primary function will be to provide TV and
commercial communications services across the Middle East and North Africa,
according to the AMSAT News Service. It should cover approximately one-third of
the Earth's surface, extending approximately from Brazil to India. Phase 4
amateur satellites, unlike all others launched to date, will always appear to
be in the same spot in the sky and will always be available to hams within
their coverage areas. For more information, see <http://bit.ly/1vbMZ7W>.
