FM interference to amateur radio satellites

To an FM operator, 145.8-146.0 MHz may seem to be empty, it is not!

These frequencies are used by weak signal SSB/CW satellite transponders and even a few watts of FM can cause severe interference.

Some FM operators are unaware that if they use these frequencies their local chat across town will be heard thousands of km away and, in doing so, will block the satellite.

A YouTube video shows graphically the problem that FM simplex operation on 145.8-146 and 435-438 MHz can cause.

This recording, made on Nov 9, 2010 during orbit 4336 of the Amateur Radio satellite HO-68 shows FM interference from a Russian speaking station transmitting on the 2m uplink.

Getting started on Amateur Radio Satellites PDF
http://www.uk.amsat.org/content/view/408/168/

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