karn (12/29/82)
To correct a slight error in an earlier article: The ARRL (American Radio Relay League) does NOT build amateur radio satellites (the "Oscars"); in the Western world, this is done by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). AMSAT-USA cooperates closely with several other national AMSAT organizations in countries such West Germany, South Africa, the UK, etc. The ARRL is the "mainstream" amateur radio organization with which AMSAT is affiliated, but AMSAT is an independent international organization with separate membership. Part of the confusion may stem from the fact that AMSAT turned over operational control of Amsat-Oscar-8 to the ARRL after launch, in order to free resources for further spacecraft construction. Phil Karn, Asst. VP Engineering, AMSAT