Ham operators have access to a wide variety of satellites orbiting the earth. These orbiting repeaters allow reliable communications without relying on the ionospheric propagation we require on the HF bands. But there are things you need to know to be able to successfully utilize satellite communications on both the easy FM satellites and the more complicated weak signal satellites.
At his presentation “Operating the Ham Radio Satellites,” Mitch Stern, W1SJ, will review satellite technology and focus on the equipment and techniques used to make the contacts. There is nothing quite as rewarding as putting all the myriad details together to complete a satellite QSO!