AMSAT-UK Home page
Read the latest news in the amateur satellite world
Some answers to Frequently Asked Questions!
View and or contribute to our Picture Gallery
Items that AMSAT sells as a service to members.
Read the latest on our regular publication which is sent to all our members.
Using, or thinking of using, amateur satellites, please join us and support the amateur satellite programme!
News About AMSAT-UK
A complete list of operating frequencies of amateur satellites, or as complete as we can make it!
A list of AMSAT organisations in other countries
Other useful or interesting web sites
Information about past and future events
Information and Links that teachers in Schools and Colledges, etc, might find useful
Search the AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NA websites, and also the AMSAT-BB and SAREX maillist archives.
Some short pointers and information on how you might start using amateur satellites.
Update on the Amateur Radio on the Space Shuttle Project
Check Here for Keplerian Elements to Update your prediction software
Information about our attendance at Radio Rallies.
Read the latest news from the UK rep of the IARU Sat Coordinator
Information about Amateur Satellites which are currently operational.
List of members of the AMSAT-UK Committee, and the Officers of AMSAT-UK
Please consider contributing to our website!
To contact AMSAT-UK. please email our Hon Sec, Jim Heck, G3WGM at g3wgm@nospam.amsat.org (remove the nospam!)
Go here to read about the website, to make comments, etc etc
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Membership Home


History

After the launch of Amsat-OSCAR 6 in October 1972, it was apparent that many UK Radio Amateurs attempting to utilise the satellites were meeting problems due to shortage of orbital information, correct power to use, and the demanding requirements of basic reception techniques. This is still true of newcomers today, despite the publications we produce.

To give some assistance to newcomers, we produced Oscar News . This was a free periodical to those sending an SAE. It contained updated information on recommended equipment, active stations on Oscar, Hints & Kinks, and listed orbits with reference and general advice.

Within six months, demand had outstripped the supply of free paper, and printing costs had increased. Donations were sought to permit the larger editions required. Most enthusiasts were in the UK - but an increasing number were overseas. Oscar News received the support of Amsat-USA and republished many articles from the Amsat Journal .

In 1975, with the backing of Amsat-USA (now amsat-NA), Amsat-UK was formed and Oscar News took the form of a bimonthly bulletin for members, plus membership of Amsat-USA at no extra cost. At that time the minimum donation for all services including Oscar News was £4.00 per annum.

With the increasing cost of paper, postage rates, the US Dollar upward trend, Amsat-UK was soon faced with a net loss of £1.60 per member. In July 1975, rather than increase donations, it was decided to set the minimum donation at £3.00 per year, with a separate requirement for Amsat-USA membership. This is the current requirement except that the very minimum donation is £15 per calendar year (or part of) for single membership (and includes VAT). See the applications forms or European and Overseas membership.

Today, apart from providing valuable assistance to the Amateur satellite programme, Amsat-UK has an information service secvond to none, a first class magazine in Oscar News (free to members at least every two months), and provides technical data and advice on all aspects of amateur satellite communications. Orbital data and general assistance to all radio amateurs wishing to enter this specialised part of the hobby is still available at minimal cost.

Amsat-UK supports the design and building of apparatus for future Oscar launches and user equipment. Amsat-UK is affiliated to RSGB and liaises with IARU, the vital link between Oscar users and the ITU administration in Geneva.

For beginners to this part of amateur radio, we recommend you buy The Guide to Amateur Satellite Operation by G3RWL of the Amsat-UK Committee; details are on our Shop web page.

AMSAT-UK exists by DONATIONS. Most donations go towards the building and design of Amateur Satellites, and the Command Stations worldwide. Please remember this when you send your yearly donation. We currently have satellites being built in Germany, USA, Japan and the UK. Most construction of Amateur Radio satellites is carried out by fellow radio amateurs who all give their services freely.

Membership of AMSAT-UK will help you to keep up with the ever-changing trends in the Amateur Satellite world. Please give generously to this modern branch of our hobby. The current minimum donation is £15 (the maximum is as much as you can afford); click here for our membership form . Part of all donations goes towards building, launch, and support funds for amateur satellites.

A regular radio net on 3.780 MHz meets on most Sundays at 10.15am and on Wednesdays at 7.00pm (local time). Members are encouraged to listen to these nets for up-to-date information; the net held on the last Sunday of each month contains a roundup of the month's news. AMSAT-UK holds the callsign G0AUK.

VHF NETS

Midlands Area: M1ASE, 7.00pm (GMT) Thursday 144.280 MHz SSB

Membership runs from January 1st to December 31st in any year. Members joining part way though a year will receive all of that year's copies of Oscar News. This membership year discourages people from joining later in the year; to offset this we will usually have a deal whereby you pay for the forthcoming year plus a reduced amount for the year which is finishing. Contact our secretary for details.

All work on your behalf is carried out by fellow radio amateurs in their spare time.