Packet radio in the Amateur Satellite Service

A review of the satellite-based packet radio activities taking place in the Amateur Radio Service is presented. Five projects are discussed. The Digital Communications Experiment (DCE) on UoSAT-OSCAR-11 is a store-and-forward system that is accessed by a limited number of stations around the world designated as DCE gateways. These gateway stations retrieve and store messages forwarded to them via terrestrial packet radio networks. The Japanese FO-12 satellite is a store-and-forward system, and its user interface is much like computer bulletin boards accessed via land lines. It is available for use by all radio amateurs with the required equipment. Both UO-11 and FO-12 are in low earth orbits. The RUDAK experiment and the PACSAT project are also discussed. >