Terrestrial Amateur Radio Crossband Linear Transponders

The widesread use by Radio Amateurs of terrestrial crossband linear transponders has, until now, been held back by dynamic range issues. Software Defined Transponders (SDX) look set to resolve this and help boost activity on the Microwave bands.

At the 2007 AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium AMSAT-NA President Rick Hambly W2GPS outlined his intention to get an SDX linear transponder on the air in his home state. Such a transponder could simultaneously handle dozens of SSB, CW or data contacts. It is hoped that others will follow suit and help re-populate our microwave bands.

Howard Long G6LVB first presented and demonstrated the STELLA software defined transponder to the AMSAT-UK Colloquium in July 2005. The 435 to 145 MHz transponder generated much interest and similar technology will now be used for transponders for the P3E, Eagle, ESEO and Suitsat 2 satellites.

Software Defined Cross Band Linear Transponder (July 2006)
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2006/
crossband_linear_transponder.htm

STELLA page
http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/stella/

STELLA document
http://www.g6lvb.com/Stella.zip

Software Defined Radio Working Group report to the ARRL
http://www.arrl.org/announce/reports-2006/july/13b-Software%20Defined%20Radio%20Working%20Group.doc

SuitSat 2
http://www.suitsat.org/

AMSAT-UK
http://www.uk.amsat.org/

AMSAT-UK publish OSCAR News which is full of Amateur Satellite information.
You can join online at https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subscription/