[net.ham-radio] Space Operation

signal@houxf.UUCP (J.BODDIE) (08/08/84)

x

In reviewing the FCC regulations recently, I ran across the following
question:

	97.403 (a) Definition of Space Operation.
	Space-to-earth and space-to-space, Amateur Radio communication
	from a station which is beyond, is intended to go beyond, or
	has been beyond the major portion of the earth's atmosphere.

	97.407 Eligibility for space operation.
	Amateur Radio stations licensed to Amateur Extra Class operators
	are eligible for space operation (see 97.403(a)).  The station
	licensee may permit any Amateur Radio operator to be the control
	operator, subject to the privileges of the control operator's
	class of license (see 97.7).

My 1983 Callbook lists W5LFL as an Advanced Class licensee.  Did Owen
get a waver of 97.407 from the FCC, or am I missing something here?


					-73-
					Jim Boddie
					KC2VQ

					houxf!signal

glc@akgua.UUCP (G.L. Cleveland [Lindsay]) (08/14/84)

Jim Boddie (KC2VQ) raised the question about Owen Garriott
operating in space without an Extra-Class license.  I thought I
might see someone else respond, but nothing so far.  So here is the
quote from the "W5YI REPORT", July 15, 1983:

    Astronaut Dr. Owen Garriott, W5LFL, scheduled later this uear
  aboard the NASA "Spacelab 1" on the Space Suttle Columbia wrote
  the FCC on June 1, and 13.  He explained the operation in technical
  detail and requested waivers of certain provisions of the
  Amateur-Satellite Service Rules to permit him to operate a ham radio
  station aboard Space Transport System flight 9.
  
    Garriott sought the approval on the basis that it "will advance
  the long tradition of achievement in the Amateur Radio Service."
  STS-9 is scheduled to take place between September 30 and October
  8, 1983.  Dr. Garriott is a licensed Advancded Class amateur radio
  operator and will be the first ham to operate from space.
  
    .
    .
    .
  
    In favorably ruling on the Garriott request, the FCC's Jim
  McKinney (Chief of the Private Radio Bureau) said that waivers were
  "in keeping with our statutory mandate to provide experimental uses
  of radio frequencies, and to encourage the larger and more
  effective use of radio in the public interest."  The Temporary
  Waiver Order was signed by McKinney on June 27 and specifically
  acknowledged the pioneering nature of Dr. Garriott's venture.

Hope this clears thinks up.

73,
  Lindsay  W4IZI

Lindsay Cleveland  (...{ihnp4|mcnc|sdcsvax|clyde}!akgua!glc)
AT&T Technologies/Bell Laboratories ... Atlanta, Ga
(404) 447-3909 ...  Cornet 583-3909