Commercial space company wants to take over frequencies in the 70cm band

[Hulk]

Petition to take over part of 70cm

A commercial space company, AST SpaceMobile, is petitioning the FCC to take over amateur radio spectrum in the 70cm band for commercial use!

They already have 5 satellites in orbit and plan to launch 243 more using the 430 - 440 MHz range.

The bottom line: These frequencies are vital to many amateur satellite operations and emergency communications, and the commercial The ham radio community has just a short window to share feedback with the FCC before decisions are made.

Read the AMSAT-UK Briefing » https://hamradioprep.us18.list-mana...1d3c7111cfd6088ed0&id=656010f3d2&e=f68c7a1e67

View the FCC Filing » https://hamradioprep.us18.list-mana...1d3c7111cfd6088ed0&id=177b1c94e3&e=f68c7a1e67


Example Comment Opposing the Petition:

”AST & Science LLC (AST SpaceMobile) is operating satellites in the amateur radio spectrum, causing interference with amateur radio operations.

I strongly urge you to deny their request to use amateur radio frequencies for commercial use.

I personally am an amateur radio operator, along with over 750,000 Americans. These frequencies are vital for emergency communications via satellite and amateur radio, as well as technological advancement in the radio science by amateur radio operators.”

Let’s stay informed and speak up to preserve amateur spectrum for education, innovation, and emergency use.

Submit Your Comment to the FCC Here! https://hamradioprep.us18.list-mana...1d3c7111cfd6088ed0&id=bdbd91c274&e=f68c7a1e67

https://www.reddit.com/r/HamRadio/s/02yzVwIpYi

 

[Corbet]

Done

 

[nakman]

I don't get it. this is the filing:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-532A1.pdf

so they are wanting to create earth-to-satellite connections on some of the 440 frequencies? And would those then be unusable to amateur operators? Or does this create a new network of connectivity for amateurs to use? not sure why I'm supposed to just reactively oppose this.

 

[DanInDenver]

Some opinions on the matter. Seems the concern is interference of transmissions by amateurs with those of the satellites.

Ham Radio Users Clash With Starlink Rival AST SpaceMobile Over Spectrum Use

AST wants to use the 430 to 440MHz band for a satellite-to-phone service. Ham radio enthusiasts say the company's plan is vague and could interfere with their slim slice of spectrum.

www.pcmag.com

IARU Position on the Utilization of the 430–440 MHz Amateur Band by AST SpaceMobile Satellite Constellation | International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)

www.iaru.org

Use of 430-440 MHz by AST SpaceMobile constellation

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…

amsat-uk.org

 

[nakman]

I guess I still don't see what the beef is. They're proposing to use 430-440MHz... my understanding of 70cm is folks only really use 445.500MHz and above. For example the National calling frequency is 446.000, the next simplex stations are 446.025. 446.050, etc. up to 446.175. And every repeater in Colorado is higher than 445.000MHz, beginning with the Winter Park ColCon at 445.550, ending with 449.875 in Boulder.

so I guess my question is who is actually using 430-440MHz? Other than the argument that the plan might be vague, and just because I'm not using it now I should still defend my right to not lose it, I'm not that motivated to oppose it. change my mind?

and yes ftr, I have never once transmitted on 70cm, I don't monitor it, though it does come up about once a year around a campfire that we should maybe try it sometime. Then it's back to 2m the next day.